No energy for this.

[Schneider]

If I may take the word once again?
I can somehow understand how you guys feel, but in this case I am partially with Donutz and N24. I guess if you're setting up a new forum as an admin you try to hold the rudder right steered the correct and fine way and are rather a bit anal about spam etc. Once the whole thing is set up, everyone has grown into it, it's much easier to judge whether you can let a thread just go by or whether to delete it, but at the moment, I guess, they go a harsher way to ensure everything keeps in line, and maybe to lure some more mods in here who thought the old board to spammy.

And yes, a Unite&Revolt (=spam) subforum, with no post count for the sake of things etc. pp. would a.) be a great thing for me personally   and b.) would suck the forums spam in like a black hole (I deleted my first metaphor containing women of the oldest business of the world and male genitals). I would even volunteer to take part in overlooking such a subboard, but its a spam forum and doesn't need an overlook anyway.

So guys, stylie, sheik etc.: Keep cool, stay low, Sir apple keep your button up pants on. Just give this thing here some time to strike roots and till we maybe have a spam forum where some international chit chat has its room without annoying someone. Just stay fitted and try to put up some understanding for the admins etc. It doesn't help anyone if names are called (no matter from which side) or you hurry into things without thinking about it twice.

That's my two eurocent on that matter.  

[stylie]

Schneider, I respect your opinion and I respect their right to govern their board, no matter how strongly I disagree. The reason? They have been modding this board for years. They know what they are doing. They have tried to get real heavy handed on occasion here and got admonished by noe. The same way they adminished us in the past. Now it is theirs, and their initial actions speak volumes. What I think they fail to see is that people hang out here because they are friends. Not because they feel a need to constantly contribute suggestions, etc. The clear proof is the thread counts. People like to just shoot the shit while they are at work. Thats what its all about for most of us posters. We've seen every suggestion thread known to man and we prefer to post here because we are like minded.

[FatJoe]

No Stylie.. I don't want you to go..
Makes me a sad Joe

I support the creation of SPAM subforum in Off Topic section.. It satisfies those who want and love it, and those who hate it don't ever have to go there.. ever. I for one, don't see the problem, quite honestly.

If actual spam threads start appearing in other forum sections, throw em in the spam section with perhaps a warning if needed.

Who and why does this piss off?

[Schneider]

Don't get me wrong stylie, I know what you're saying.
I'm not sure if the admins are really oblivious to the fact that people come here because they have the feeling to be among friends. Sometimes I have had that feeling to, sometimes not.
I didn't try to side with them solely in my last post, I just wanted to ask for some patience. If, of course, you were right, and they are oblivious to what you said, they would make a great mistake. A close-knit die-hard community that shares some personal solidarity among each other is a vital thing for a great mod, I think. That's why I do call for a "spam" subforum (I always have problem calling social talk spam. Especially in an Off Topic-board).
But we'll see what time will bring.

[Archimonday]

I can understand the administrators position on the issue, just as much as I can understand the contrary position.

While I certainly don't want to see spam in the Off-Topic, certain posts which have been deleted had very great discussions going on inside them on the other forum. For instance, the U&R thread, had a long stemming discussion on the ins and outs of Empire: Total War going at the time of Filefronts abandonment, so marking what had essentially formed into a nice discussion as spam is kind of over the top. While at the same time the need to eliminate threads which spam suggestions, or thoughts of minimal importance is a worthy cause.

Either way, I can tell that FH Off Topic will never be of the same glory it was, and that a new era of policy has flooded into its halls.

[Meadow]

I do understand the worries of both sides, and throw my hat into the 'compromise with a spam subforum' camp. If any spam outside of this spam forum is clamped down on so people can't, for example, derail news update threads or serious suggestion threads with in-jokes (not naming any names, largely because I don't have to) then I think both sides would be kept happy.

Such a forum would be brought into existence on a trial basis at first, to see if it did indeed create a nightmarish plague of cross-board spam. If this were the case, then the mods' fears would be right and appropriate action could be taken. If not, I see no reason why all parties cannot enjoy both a forum to discuss WWII history, a great mod based on it AND socialise with people they've met through shared interests, and just kick back and chat about the weather or whatever they want. I don't accept that it's 'either/or'.

As for you, Stylie, I know we don't come into much direct contact but it may surprise you that I would genuinely miss your input here. You always offer a laid-back and down-to-earth response to any situation, and that's exactly what this community needs after so much strain in recent weeks. So please, stick around and at least see if the compromise suggestion is picked up - there's hope for us all yet.

[stylie]

Much appreciated Meadow.

Just remember moderators... you cant kill the parasite by killing the host. It doesnt work like that. I bet if you throw the doors open, the ridicule handed down by us posters would take care of the problem. You should let some things work themselves out. Besides, who wants to sit there with a yardstick everytime someone submits a post? That cant be much fun for you either.

[jumjum]

styles, I feel your pain. It's the starting over crap; the having to actually think before we mouse-click. Damn that gets mentally tiring! The juice definitely isn't flowing yet, but I put that down to not being oriented. Plus, it's the "newbie" thing, and zilch posts/reps and all; like coming into town as beggars instead of owning the place. Crud.  But stick with me compadre.

[Sir Apple]

Well,

I just think there should be a limit on "spam". 


On the other hand, I don't see what is wrong with posting about your day, something that happened to you, and stuff like that. To me thats not the slightest bit spam. All it is, is Off-Topic discussion. Normally threads like that spark a good, interesting discussion and you can really learn a lot. It also makes the forum that much more enjoyable, knowing that after a long irritable day you can hop on and chill with other people that enjoy the same topics as you. Its very boring to come onto a forum and only be permitted to talk about a video game, or a business trip to Ant Artica.. 


Stylie, don't leave! That would make me sad... after all your an original PA'r from back in the Filefront days. I very much hope that staff of this forum become a little more lenient with the rules, and allow you, Stylie, to post your random goofy stuff.

I think the staff will lighten up on it with in time. But, its been said, this forum is new as we all know, there needs to be a well established base first so that new members know what to do and what not to do.

Cheers 

[jumjum]

......On the other hand, I don't see what is wrong with posting about your day, something that happened to you, and stuff like that. To me thats not the slightest bit spam. All it is, is Off-Topic discussion. Normally threads like that spark a good, interesting discussion and you can really learn a lot. It also makes the forum that much more enjoyable, knowing that after a long irritable day you can hop on and chill with other people that enjoy the same topics as you. Its very boring to come onto a forum and only be permitted to talk about a video game, or a business trip to Ant Artica...

No, that's spam, SA. And I think most FHers will agree with me. If people insist on the "I like pie" and U&R stuff, that's a good reason for a Spam sub-forum. But Off-Top is definitely not for spam like "how's your day?" crap.

And as for the guys who started U&R, they're not going to like this, but it's the truth, and I hope they listen: U&R and it's ilk debased Off Topic. There's no two ways about it. In my opinion U&R was an attempt by a handful or relatively new posters to artificially bump up post counts in a hurry. ("Who cares?" is an excellent question, but suffice it to say obviously they did.) Why do I think that?  Over the past weeks and months there have been comments from U&R guys which make it apparent they are very post-conscious. I don't know why it's a big deal; and even if it is a big deal to someone I don't know why they are somehow exempt from having to put in the time and effort that other FHers have.

All this to say: 1) I wish we could have a Spam sub-forum and 2) If you don't have to think to post a comment, it probably doesn't belong in Off-Topic. The quality of Off-Top has fallen precipitously in the last year, and I'm sorry we no longer have archives available to show what I mean. So how about lightening up on the post-whoring, and tightening up on the the thread- and post-content? We'll all enjoy it.


As to stylie's deleted posts: I haven't been here enough to figure out what's what, but stylie isn't a spammer. If someone is deleting stylie's posts as spam. then something is definitely wrong, and we've put in with the wrong people.

I for one don't want to live in a world where stylie is mod-deleted.

[Sir Apple]

......On the other hand, I don't see what is wrong with posting about your day, something that happened to you, and stuff like that. To me thats not the slightest bit spam. All it is, is Off-Topic discussion. Normally threads like that spark a good, interesting discussion and you can really learn a lot. It also makes the forum that much more enjoyable, knowing that after a long irritable day you can hop on and chill with other people that enjoy the same topics as you. Its very boring to come onto a forum and only be permitted to talk about a video game, or a business trip to Ant Artica.. 

No, that's spam, SA. And I think most FHers will agree with me.

quote author=Die Happy link=topic=131.msg1024#msg1024 date=1238425567]
i think thats why we could need a simple spam forum.
note off topic != spam

Uh, no. If people, insist on the "I like pie" and U&R stuff, that's a good reason for a Spam sub-forum. But Off-Top is definitely not for spam. The guys who started U&R are not going to like this, but it's the truth, and I hope they listen: U&R and it's ilk debased Off Topic. There's no two ways about it. In my opinion U&R was an attempt by a handful or relatively new posters to artificially bump up post counts in a hurry. ("Who cares?" is an excellent question, but suffice it to say obviously they did.) Why do I think that?  Over the past weeks and months there have been comments from U&R guys which make it apparent they are very post-conscious. I don't know why it's a big deal; and even if it is a big deal to someone I don't know why they are somehow exempt from having to put in the time and effort that other FHers have.

All this to say: 1) I wish we could have a Spam sub-forum and 2) If you don't have to think to post a comment, it probably doesn't belong in Off-Topic. The quality of Off-Top has fallen precipitously in the last year, and I'm sorry we no longer have archives available to show what I mean. So how about lightening up on the post-whoring, and tightening up on the the thread- and post-content? We'll all enjoy it.

No no. I didn't mean U&R based spam. Because that is pure evil, and simply annoying spam. I agree with you on that, actually all of what you said really. In fact, its such bad spam even the U.S army would have turned it down.

A spam forum may be good. As long as it has rules to the degree of spam allowed, and its content. But I don't think we should have to have a spam forum to post the interesting topics that FH forums once thrived upon.

[Eat Uranium]

Any 'spam' forum created would obviously have to have some rules.  And considering that most FH 'spam'* was more like the kind of idle chatter that takes place in cafes and pubs, it should have a more civilised name.  Prehaps if there is a static cafe model in the patch, the forum could have the same name as that cafe (assuming of course that it's texture includes a name hoarding).

*FHOT spam was to FF Spam Forum spam what corned beef is to actual spam.  Both are processed meats, but one is infinitly better.

[MrFancypants]

In my experience the best thing is to have different sub forums tailored to the needs of users. I think those who like spam won't mind posting in threads or forums that have post-count disabled. As for the "attitude spill-over"-problem, I think that is easily avoided by a bit of moderation.

In any case, I'd trust Lightning and Donutz with this. They are both experienced forum moderators and neither of them is overly strict. Threatening to quit doesn't seem like a nice thing to do because those guys have been on your side whenever someone at Filefront was doing anything you disliked. Give them a chance to improve the forums for all users and it'll probably work out.

[Moose]

I know I come on for the friends, I don't come onto the forum just to read stuff from other people that I have no connection. i actually care about you guys. I wanted to know what your first words for in that recent thread, it's not just about the validity of the posts, but also how entertaining they are to us. Fuzzy Bunny's old vehicle manuals had really no bearing on anything at all, but by god they were a joy to read. I liked when flyguy posted his spanish paper with requests for people to help him with it, I like that people can do things like that and discuss it. It's like getting together daily with your group of friends and talking about whatever comes to mind. I just want to be able to talk like we're at a bar, discussing whatever it may be, girls, tanks, recent changes to airplane manufactures, it doesn't matter. I just hope we can maintain that, that's what made FF so special.

[Schneider]

I know I come on for the friends, I don't come onto the forum just to read stuff from other people that I have no connection. i actually care about you guys. I wanted to know what your first words for in that recent thread, it's not just about the validity of the posts, but also how entertaining they are to us. Fuzzy Bunny's old vehicle manuals had really no bearing on anything at all, but by god they were a joy to read. I liked when flyguy posted his spanish paper with requests for people to help him with it, I like that people can do things like that and discuss it. It's like getting together daily with your group of friends and talking about whatever comes to mind. I just want to be able to talk like we're at a bar, discussing whatever it may be, girls, tanks, recent changes to airplane manufactures, it doesn't matter. I just hope we can maintain that, that's what made FF so special.

Rep for this. Sorry for the bit spammy post, but this is so what I was thinking, too.