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

[Dylan]

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?

I'd be fine with that, because it's at least loosely related to the topic. It's just when 2 people start arguing about... I don't know green energy or something in the same thread is when it needs to be moved.

[BigTinz]

I like troll posts.

[Limewater]

I'd be fine with that, because it's at least loosely related to the topic. It's just when 2 people start arguing about... I don't know green energy or something in the same thread is when it needs to be moved.

But arguments and side-discussions that arise in threads are usually loosely related to the topic. People don't just come into a thread on Crazy Taxi and then start arguing over who would win in a fight between Superman and a Jedi unless something on the thread lead them to that topic.

I really think that inhibiting arguments, or relegating discussions with conflicting opinions, or conversations that go deeper into a topic than some people care to go will ultimately hurt the boards more than it helps them.

Relegating discussions that turn into arguments to a separate forum will stigmatize disagreement, further hurting the level of discussion. on the board. It is kind of ironic that this discussion itself is a bit of a thread-jack. This is a serious issue, in my opinion. Perhaps it is best discussed on the playground after school.

Back on topic:

I also really enjoy discussions about the technical issues of older consoles, and the design constraints apparent in games. These don't come up all that much, though.

[AmishSamurai]

Generally off-topic-ness has a stream of consciousness that lets it make sense if you follow it hard enough. generally they are self-correcting though.

And Superman would so beat any Jedi

[crux]

First of all, I don't think moderation is the solution for anything. I'm highly against censorship, especially on a forum populated by many adults, and I don't see any good that can come of it. If a person doesn't like where an argument is headed, they can try to step in and steer the direction. Castrating the conversation just serves to limit the freedom of those posters. Sure, if a poster has a particular problem with steering conversations and starting arguments (I can name a few), a moderator may want to step in and talk to them. Otherwise, let people talk as they may. Lead the conversation; don't force it.

As for likes and dislikes, what the forums here are sorely missing and have been sorely missing since I've been here are meaningful discussions. Yes, this is a video game site populated by gamers (many of which are devoted gamers), and no, there's nothing wrong with talking about our favorite video games, but far too many topics here are just fodder for people to say what they want to say without engaging in discussion whatsoever. I don't know how to fix that - I've never been one to create topics with any frequency on any forum - and I don't believe it's something that can be forced, but people need to be engaged.

[Erik_Twice]

Least Favourite - Threads that can't really be debated like "Favorite X", "Best X" and so on.

Most Favourite - Angsty threads about videogames and art and what makes a good videogame. The angsty part is needed because True Art is angsty.

[HellHammer]

My only real concern is about B/S/T and the 'thread crapping' that occasionally occours when people aren't on the same page about a particular item's value. That's not to say I'm asking for Mods to crack down on anyone with a price discrepancy, but maybe a sticky for suggested buy/sell/trade manners?

Anyway, I think for the most part we've covered it already, but it'd be a shame if it continued to be an issue.


Also, maybe we could do weekly Racketboy member games together? Like online game nights or something? That could be fun.

[dsheinem]

moved this post to the correct thread...

[nickfil]

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).

It would be kinda cool if we could tag threads with keywords to be searched for when we post them. I don't know if boards can do that though.

Also, maybe we could do weekly Racketboy member games together? Like online game nights or something? That could be fun.

I would love that, but the problem is that most retro games are not online. Furthermore, remakes that are online often have really shitty matchmaking systems.

I would be more into together retro if i could play with people rather than playing on my own and then posting about it.

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?

I like this idea too. Maybe have the Highschoolparkinglot not show up in most recent threads? is that possible?

[nickfil]

maybe a forum dedicated to "recomendations" or "i'm looking for..."

I see a lot of one or two time users come in and say something like:

"I played this game on a sega console i think. I had this blue guy who was followed by a flying guy. But you could be the flying guy maybe? And you were really fast. Anyone know what this game is?"

these should also be locked when solved.

And i see and am guilty of a few posts like:

"I'm looking to play a new rpg but can't find a good one."
"i'm looking for an iphone game"
"i'm looking for a blah blah blah"

These posts might not lead to discussion, because the original poster hasn't played the game. The only way they are going to start to grow is if people know what game is being suggested, which isn't really in the title. I don't know how to fix that, but i think that separating these posts will weed out some fodder.


Also, maybe have up voting and down voting system for posts. So you can encourage good posting and discourage bad. Maybe it'll give you an overall rank for the site, or just a positive or negitive number next to your name. That way if someone is trolling i can identify and quickly ignore their bullshit when they post later. On second thought- i guess that could get out of hand quickly.