Proposed New Forum Structure

[Holdek]

Edit: In addendum, KatsuKitty has asked what sort of posts he should be looking to delete/lock given the recent complaints about A-logging and stuff. There's a few users we have our eyes on, but when this new board gets introduced (if I think I've perfected the idea) I'll work with the other mods and admins to figure out a less "gut instinct" approach to moderating. In light of a recent popularity surge, post quality has really declined and most threads aren't worth reading. That's something I really don't like to see.

In the past, I've been rather conservative on closing threads or deleting posts, basically allowing threads like "Can Chris Swim?" because it otherwise didn't break any rules (or wasn't flat out retarded like "Does Chris smell his own farts?"). Essentially, if it wasn't outright trash, I would let it go, and just let people discuss whatever they wanted to.

The influx of shit posting has made this conservative approach difficult to maintain, so my concern is having margin calls universally caught up in the locking process absent any clear guidelines for both users and admins to abide by (something I tried to do in the "Chris Forum Almanac") This reduces the assessment of post quality to a nebulous Potter Stewart approach that is likely to piss off a lot of users. There are plenty of "ehh" threads I see routinely that if I had to be more aggressive, I would lock, but this aggressive approach is just as likely to elicit an angry reaction from the userbase, not to mention silence interesting discussion that may take place in those margin calls I talked about.

Really, the best way to solve this is to amend the Forum Almanac with everything common to these low quality posts. One thing I can immediately identify is the discussion of extremely trivial or inconsequential aspects of Chris's life (such as how many McNuggets he eats weekly or something), not to mention threads that ask questions for which the answer may be obvious (how much exercise Chris gets or something). Things like that. The "citizenry" has to take an active role just as much as the "police" in ensuring order, and clearer guidelines like this assist them in doing so.

On the one hand, on a forum dedicated to discussing someone who is notable for his buffoonish behavior and thought process (unlike, say, a William Shakespeare forum) you are going get more buffoonish threads.

On the other hand, it may not be worth your time and effort getting too into the weeds about what is acceptable and what isn't. I think a Stewart-like test is fine for "What if Chris was uncircumcised?" for example. I've generally appreciated erring on less aggressive modding in the Chris forum because when all is said and done, Chris is just not a serious topic. In terms of the recent increase in shitposting I reiterate my suggestion that new users would have to lurk for two days or something before being able to post, so that they get a feel of what's acceptable, what's already been discussed to death, what the rules are, answers to commonly asked questions, etc.

But, whatever makes the job of mods easier would be fine. I think most mods, most of the time, are reasonable here and if a user gets a thread sent to Sperg and it pisses them off they can probably PM the mod to discuss the issue.

 

[rocket]

I think Null's compromise is a good one and Katsu's concerns are valid. It's probably something we'll have to feel out as we go but I think most people are in agreement that post quality is in the shitter lately. Thanks for the effort in fixing this mods.

 

[bradsternum]

If it stops all the shitty "DID CHRIS EVER DO/LIKE X" and "HOW WILL WE KNOW WHEN CHRIS DIES?" threads, I support it.

 

[Holdek]

If it stops all the shitty "DID CHRIS EVER DO/LIKE X" and "HOW WILL WE KNOW WHEN CHRIS DIES?" threads, I support it.

Even if the mods had the power of Dr. Manhattan and stopped 99% of shitposts, some sperging would still get in.

 

[ChurchOfGodBear]

Really, the best way to solve this is to amend the Forum Almanac with everything common to these low quality posts. One thing I can immediately identify is the discussion of extremely trivial or inconsequential aspects of Chris's life (such as how many McNuggets he eats weekly or something), not to mention threads that ask questions for which the answer may be obvious (how much exercise Chris gets or something). Things like that. The "citizenry" has to take an active role just as much as the "police" in ensuring order, and clearer guidelines like this assist them in doing so.

Please take a lot of care when amending the Almanac. I do worry about unintentionally thwarting all these efforts if I post a thread that's maybe well-intentioned (but kind of goofy) knowing that it would be tolerated under the current guidelines but not the new ones. I'm all about raising the level of conversation, but we all occasionally have ideas that just don't pan out.

Edit: I don't spell too good.

 

[Uzumaki]

So basically, instead of just cataloging updates in the forum, we'll open the doors to everyone's input but our expectation is that people will only post if they actually have something to say. "Die chris" comments and typical sperging that we often tolerate will be more thoroughly moderated. However, if someone wants to take a quote from the post and start an entirely new discussion back in the other forum, it'll be totally fine.

How's that sound?

That sounds great.

Edit: In addendum, KatsuKitty has asked what sort of posts he should be looking to delete/lock given the recent complaints about A-logging and stuff. There's a few users we have our eyes on, but when this new board gets introduced (if I think I've perfected the idea) I'll work with the other mods and admins to figure out a less "gut instinct" approach to moderating. In light of a recent popularity surge, post quality has really declined and most threads aren't worth reading. That's something I really don't like to see.

I actually like the free wheelin' moderation style around here. When someone constantly makes shitty posts they're banned, we don't have to sit around waiting for them to do something specific that breaks a rule. When mods are constrained by a bunch of forum rules the worst of the users learn them and just dance along the line, never crossing it, and driving everyone up the wall. I don't know if you need less of a "gut instinct" style, I just think you need to learn to trust your instincts even more and amp up the locks and bannings.

The best part of the current style of moderation is that the only rule to learn is "don't suck". There are no loopholes you can use to suck but still stay within the bounds of the rules. If you got even more aggressive with this it's going to be frustrating for some people, but those are going to be the ones who suck and who are posting the garbage threads in the first place.

 

[Dork Of Ages]

Well, looks like the 'Chris Updates' board is set up. It's weird looking at it, but it shouldn't be too bad when I get accustomed to it.

 

[José Mourinho]

Looking great so far.

 

[CatParty]

I miss the old structure

 

[Null]

I moved the General subforums back as subforums because I felt they took too much space.

 

[Mauvman Shuffleboard]

I miss the old structure

This is Dwayne, he misses the old layout. If you miss the old layout, post Dwayne everywhere, that'll fix it.

 

[exball]

I like the new forums. I also hate change, so...WHAT HITLER DID WAS POTATOES COMPARED TO NULL CHANGING THINGS!!!1111!!!

 

[Watcher]

I wish there were more subforums personally. Right now it feels a little squished.

 

[Kamen Rider Black RX]

I don't really care for this but I'll survive. Kinda sucks I have to check a separate thread in order to see updates on CWC's status.

 

[brooklynbailiff]

So much stress.

 

[LM 697]

This is the worst idea in the long, sad history of bad ideas, and I'm gonna be there when you learn that.

told u

 

[brooklynbailiff]

A break in routine gives me stuh-ress.

 

[LM 697]

A break in routine gives me stuh-ress.

AW FUK IT THA 4:15 TRAIN SUPPOS'D TA COME AT 4:17 FUKS SAKE MAN FUKIN SPA

 

[Pikonic]

I like it.

 

[brooklynbailiff]

AW FUK IT THA 4:15 TRAIN SUPPOS'D TA COME AT 4:17 FUKS SAKE MAN FUKIN SPA

FUK U SPA BARSTERD U SED RAIN WUD HAPPEN FUKIN SPA