What Type of Forum Posts are Your Favorite/Least Favorite?

[racketboy]

Ok -- lets hear it.
We need to improve this place, so lets here what we need to focus on and what to crack down on.

[Dylan]

Mostly what I think we need to look out for here are redundant topics (slight aberrations of already created topics included), as those are becoming more common with a newer user base. I also think that arguments within threads should be taken less lightly, after about 4 posts into an argument someone should step in and tell both parties to take it up in a PM, because this can easily ruin the threads. This is also related to the arguments idea, but I think we should keep an eye out for hostile or demeaning posts, because this can only cause negative feelings between members.

[Limewater]

I also think that arguments within threads should be taken less lightly, after about 4 posts into an argument someone should step in and tell both parties to take it up in a PM, because this can easily ruin the threads.

I find the threads with arguments much more interesting than the "name your favorite game" threads where everyone just posts past each other and nobody engages anyone else.

[Dylan]

I find the threads with arguments much more interesting than the "name your favorite game" threads where everyone just posts past each other and nobody engages anyone else.

People can have conversation without arguing, but really what I mean by arguing is when the entire thread pretty much becomes 2 people going back and forth, effectively ruining the intended purpose of the thread. Happens all the time. People can discuss tastes and ideologies, it's just when people start quoting each other and picking posts apart that things start getting negative. I think that the discussions or "light arguments" need to be more open ended, so that anyone can join in and the thread stays practical and on topic.

[AmishSamurai]

I'd say the posts that make me rage the most would be the one-worders or crap like "I agree" without adding anything substantive to the discussion. Cracking down probably isn't the best thing though, since attempts to push back the decline make it progress more in my experience.

[Citizin]

Not a fan of whiny "good bye" threads. Other than that I don't really see that big of a problem. There are lots of threads that I have no interest in but there are also some good topics here and there that I like to say something in.

One thing that would be nice is if Buy/Sell/Trade wouldn't show up on the front page or when I click View new posts. I think it is a cool idea and seems to work well with the users but I'd rather not have to look through them when I'm trying to find discussion.

[Limewater]

People can have conversation without arguing, but really what I mean by arguing is when the entire thread pretty much becomes 2 people going back and forth, effectively ruining the intended purpose of the thread. Happens all the time. People can discuss tastes and ideologies, it's just when people start quoting each other and picking posts apart that things start getting negative. I think that the discussions or "light arguments" need to be more open ended, so that anyone can join in and the thread stays practical and on topic.

Of course people can have a conversation without arguing. But the arguments you describe (going back and forth, line by line) are seriously some of my favorite types of post on the board. When someone like Moz is involved, they're really good. When it's two kids calling each other booger-head, sure, it's stupid and boring.

Keeping things "open ended" and "light" prevents deep discussion. I much prefer deep discussion to "light" and "fluffy" discussion.

I'm not sure how I feel about threadjacking, though. I find the most interesting discussions to be the ones that are unintended-- that creep up while something else is being discussed. Perhaps, when those issues arise and users wish to discuss these emerging ideas in more detail, they should start a new thread. But in my experience keeping sternly on topic greatly impedes free dialog.

[Dylan]

Actually, Luke came up with a pretty good idea in another thread:

I also suggest a "High School Parking Lot Thread" that is reserved for when people get into arguments that allows mods to move said silly arguments from getting in the way of a valid thread.

So this way, people are free to argue without threadjacking. Sound like a good solution?

[grittykitty]

do we have some sort of subject matter-related rule list when signing up? something like "use the search function"? or something like no "me too!" posts? duplicate threads, me toos, and favorite games are my least favorite threads. granted, it's harder to have the same high quality posts as in the beginning since pretty much everything has been discussed before. also, i think the thread categories might need to be worked on. i think separate current-gen and retro news category should be used, and threads should be moved - way too much stuff ends up in the whatever thread that should go in a console specific thread. but with those threads at the bottom of the list, it's harder to scroll down to those for people who immediately login. i think console-specific discussion should be the focus, and the whatever thread should go down lower. also, how about a site-related forum? topics like this should go there

also, i think the buy/sell/trade thread needs to be streamlined. is there a way to enable only one post per user there? and have a minimum of say 20 posts before allowing a new user to create a thread there? or if you wanna get crazy, i'd be down for nuking the buy/sell/trade thread altogether.

oh, and is there any way to create sub-categories? as in, the nintendo section has a zelda-related subsection for multiple threads? creating a single zelda thread would be way too messy.

also, if we somehow implement a "recommended thread" option, similar to ebay, that would be great. so, if you like the "mario party innuendos" thread, you might also like "chocolate pudding recipes" thread, for example (wacky examples, i know).

[Limewater]

So this way, people are free to argue without threadjacking. Sound like a good solution?

Well then, where are all of the non-silly arguments going to go?

Also, what about off-topic posts that aren't really arguments? For example, if a thread topic is "What RPG are you playing right now?" what happens when it turns into a deeper discussion of the pros and cons of the Shen Megami Tensei series?