Future of the Forum

[platonov]

Agreed 100%.

Same here, especially on 'priors being deleted'. I am referring to suspensions in particular.

 

[Trakar]

backup of this forum's database is 18GB

That isn't at all unreasonable, what software would I need for a no frills, searchable access to the posts (completely sanitized, I would be interested for discussion forms pursued and the supporting links and references provided)

That is one of my concerns going to other forums outside of academia. At least here, solid references and citations were paid a modicum of respect,...that is rare on the intertubes!

 

[jhunter1163]

There haven't been formal discussions, but the sense I get in the Mod Area is that there will not be major changes to the MA. There will be tweaks here and there but not a wholesale revamping/discarding of the rules.

Again, all predicated on the forum continuing in some guise, somewhere.

ETA: As far as disciplinary records carrying across to the new forum, no idea. I'm not sure how complete the transfer of data will be from old to new, if there is one.

 

[smartcooky]

Hotlinking is a really bad idea, even if it's to a member's own personal server. Imagine what a disgruntled bannee could do with years of hotlinked posts in just a few minutes. It's not just paranoia either; I saw a Tom Cruise forum completely destroyed by Anonymous in a matter of minutes using this method.

I could fix that in about 60 seconds on almost any forum software by simply deleting the disgruntled user's username, and checking the check box that says "delete all of the user's posts".

user gone + posts gone = hotlinks gone

Alternatively, if you don't want to actually delete the posts or the user, simply altering that user's permissions so that they cannot post HTML or hyperlinks, will make any hot-linked photos disappear. That might take two minutes.

 

[This is The End]

I hope rules on swearing, smut and insults aren't relaxed at all.

This is one of the few places where a discussion can be had without it.

I would certainly reconsider posting here if it was allowed to become the free for all seen everywhere else.

If the rules are changed significantly, I, and I'm sure many others, will be out of here. They've been good enough for my 7 years here, despite the yellow cards I've received.

In addition, I would not support "priors" being deleted.

Thirded.

 

[This is The End]

I could fix that in about 60 seconds on almost any forum software by simply deleting the disgruntled user's username, and checking the check box that says "delete all of the user's posts".

user gone + posts gone = hotlinks gone

I'm quite sure you have no idea what is being discussed. Apology is talking about tons of pictures from tons of various users posts being targeted by third parties. Not someone doing it to their own posts.

 

[smartcooky]

I'm quite sure you have no idea what is being discussed. Apology is talking about tons of pictures from tons of various users posts being targeted by third parties. Not someone doing it to their own posts.

Actually, I do know that Apology said. Perhaps you would like to read his post again..

ETA:

"Imagine what a disgruntled bannee could do with years of hotlinked posts in just a few minute"

One disgruntled, banned user, linking to images on his own server

"I saw a Tom Cruise forum completely destroyed by Anonymous in a matter of minutes using this method."

Anonymous, I read in this context to be a a pseudonym for a single user.

 

[smartcooky]

double post

 

[Foolmewunz]

Yes, feel free to start a new thread to discuss possible changes to the rules on the new forum.

Someone want to do that? Perhaps post up the rules and ask for comments or votes or something? I'd do it but I'm relatively new to the forum, would be better coming from a mod I think.

Frankly, I cannot think of a worse idea. Not at present.

We need to work out some basic functions and logistics:

> Who or what is going to be in charge.
> Protect the massive database of posts and threads
> Move the forum to a server which cannot have the plug pulled arbitrarily by a beancounter from the Foundation in a cranky mood one morning.
> Work out the financials for a stable future.

The current rules? We all live by them and make suggestions from time to time. Since it's a given that if we're posting we're at least making an effort to abide by the MA, we can survive without rules changes and upheaval until we know the final structure and goals of whatever organization is in charge.

 

[lionking]

The current rules? We all live by them and make suggestions from time to time. Since it's a given that if we're posting we're at least making an effort to abide by the MA, we can survive without rules changes and upheaval until we know the final structure and goals of whatever organization is in charge.

Agreed. Why the coyness about forum ownership, structure and goals?

 

[commandlinegamer]

I would hope the current level of moderation continues. It's what separates this forum from most of the others.

1,000 times this.

 

[This is The End]

Anonymous, I read in this context to be a a pseudonym for a single user.

Not with a capital A it isn't.

 

[truethat]

If the rules are changed significantly, I, and I'm sure many others, will be out of here. They've been good enough for my 7 years here, despite the yellow cards I've received.

In addition, I would not support "priors" being deleted.

I'm sure people won't be "out of here" I've seen people post farewell cruel board posts a zillion times on forums and they always come crawling back out of boredom. LOL

 

[Foolmewunz]

Are both you and r-j unable to understand my meaning ?

Removing rules 0 and 12 would result in pretty much no reason for anyone to visit this forum as opposed to, say, go to any forum where all they do is flame away all day. Yes, there is vitriol (mostly by Darat, of course) and insults, here, but nowhere near the level where discussion is impossible across the board.

I dunno. I think you can relax those rules without junking them. It might require re-organizing some of the mod efforts, but if I had the stats/metrics and some performance metrics of the mods, I could work it out. Say you determine that a mod can comfortably read (and mentally audit) 75 posts a day... I read at least 100 and I'm a casual user, yet I have time to respond to as many as 20 if I feel like it, so I think that's an attainable target. And different days, e.g. weekends, have much lower requirements while "primtime" on weekdays has higher, but it averages out.

And you assign mods to specific forums. For the meatier and faster moving sub-forums you might assign two mods. For the shorter posts and less active sub-forums you might give one mod two or three such (say, give LossLeader, picking a name at random) to FC, HistoryLitArts, Movies and Media....).

If there's always* a mod on duty in a sub-forum, it's very easy to drop into a thread with a bluebox missive: "Ok, you lot... this is unraveling and turning into something that's going to get some of you a trip to the bad place that Big Nurse warned you about in the MA. Take your meds, eat your pudding and settle down, now."

I've seen this work on smaller forums and I've seen it work here.

*Always is tough, though. It means doubling the number of mods. We need a contingent in the time zone with the Aussies and myself. We're up and active as the US members and European members are winding down. If we want to be "global" we need to have a moderation team that "follows the sun" as we used to say in corporate logistics.

But if we do that, I think we can apply a Forum Community standard of rules enforcement, or the one that most of us understand.... e.g. that the rules are there but they're a little less stringently enforced in Community. With a hall monitor posted in a bright orange singlet in every sub-forum, you can do that. Sort of like the decrease in speeding incidents when there's a "camera" notice or a visible cop car on a knoll. (Ever notice that if the cops/highway patrol want to actually keep traffic moving reasonably, they are very visible but if they want to issue tickets, they hide in a little gully behind some bushes?)

 

[Foolmewunz]

I'm sure people won't be "out of here" I've seen people post farewell cruel board posts a zillion times on forums and they always come crawling back out of boredom. LOL

We can pull out anecdotal evidence all we want, because I've seen people turn their backs and never come back. "Never" is a long time, but when was the last time anyone saw a post by:

The Atheist
Lothian
CF Larsen
Marquis de Carabas
Slingblade
Schrodinger's Cat
FLS (Linda)
Central Scrutinizer (oh wait... he's just on ignore)

None of those are banned. They are self-exiled. To the best of my knowledge each of them had an issue with either management or treatment by other posters(and thus management).

I agree with Lionking and I posted the same commentary already. Changing the rules is something that can be tackled separately later. At present, by the very fact that we're still here, it's fairly obvious that we live within the MA and do not find it so repulsive that we've stormed off. Leave it be for a while. There are much larger issues that need addressing.

 

[Vermonter]

I'm with others on this. The MA helps shape the community and the community would be worse off is the rules were relaxed or even removed. I swear like a sailor in casual talk, but I enjoy knowing that I can come here and expect some degree of civility and enforced politeness. Without that, arguments and disagreements can becoming mere textual screaming matches with nothing being said amidst the noise.

This is a "family" forum, as much as I hate the connotations behind that word. It's also useful as a tool for education that students may check. If I wanted a free-for-all forum with bizarre rules I'll go post on YouTube videos or GLP. This forum has standards.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

icerat
Yes, feel free to start a new thread to discuss possible changes to the rules on the new forum.

Henry BannisterSomeone want to do that? Perhaps post up the rules and ask for comments or votes or something? I'd do it but I'm relatively new to the forum, would be better coming from a mod I think.

Frankly, I cannot think of a worse idea. Not at present.

We need to work out some basic functions and logistics:

> Who or what is going to be in charge.
> Protect the massive database of posts and threads
> Move the forum to a server which cannot have the plug pulled arbitrarily by a beancounter from the Foundation in a cranky mood one morning.
> Work out the financials for a stable future.

The current rules? We all live by them and make suggestions from time to time. Since it's a given that if we're posting we're at least making an effort to abide by the MA, we can survive without rules changes and upheaval until we know the final structure and goals of whatever organization is in charge.

Foolme. I carried the stuff over from your post the best I could.

While we are kicking around ideas......
I would like to see a .... single ...... thread where Icerat and Darat and the relevant folks could come in and post.

And not have it dribbled and drabbed out to a million threads.
And have it locked down to us "regular" folk so it doesn't become a massive thread.
Just the facts Mam. and keep us updated.....

 

[Foolmewunz]

icerat
Yes, feel free to start a new thread to discuss possible changes to the rules on the new forum.

Henry BannisterSomeone want to do that? Perhaps post up the rules and ask for comments or votes or something? I'd do it but I'm relatively new to the forum, would be better coming from a mod I think.



Foolme. I carried the stuff over from your post the best I could.

While we are kicking around ideas......
I would like to see a .... single ...... thread where Icerat and Darat and the relevant folks could come in and post.

And not have it dribbled and drabbed out to a million threads.
And have it locked down to us "regular" folk so it doesn't become a massive thread.
Just the facts Mam. and keep us updated.....

Agree. I fear there may be some politics involved, though. The "official" thread is this one. It was, after all, started by the JREF representative.

I'd like to see a sticky in FC or FM (members only areas) as this does not concern the lurking public. But I still think we need to hear from either Jeff or Darat that one of them has agreed to take charge and that someone is following up on Hokulele's push to organizing this into a structured and legal entity.

 

[madurobob]

I'd like to see a sticky in FC or FM (members only areas) as this does not concern the lurking public. But I still think we need to hear from either Jeff or Darat that one of them has agreed to take charge and that someone is following up on Hokulele's push to organizing this into a structured and legal entity.

My guess is that's gonna happen. But remember, they said they were taking input and would post a decision/suggestion/alternatives in five days. That was when, Thursday? So, I guess that happens Monday or Tuesday.

Until then we've got not much more than conjecture - we have to give them time to process the input come up with a plan they can propose.

 

[Foolmewunz]

My guess is that's gonna happen. But remember, they said they were taking input and would post a decision/suggestion/alternatives in five days. That was when, Thursday? So, I guess that happens Monday or Tuesday.

Until then we've got not much more than conjecture - we have to give them time to process the input come up with a plan they can propose.

Maybe I'm not reading enough into it or you're reading too much. I read Sharon's comment as that decision being made on the moving to a new server and the technical issues, coupled with the "what information to move or not move and how to notify people, whether via opt-in, opt-out, or dictatorial fiat".

I did not read that to include the area that I'm most concerned about... the new upper management and organizational structure. Some of us have been very direct on the topic and I think a rather large consensus would like to know that the new organization, in whatever form it takes, consists of a minimum of 2/3 of Jeff Wagg, Lisa Simpson, Darat. Now, the Foundation can hand it over to whomever they choose but I think most of us would like to hear that at least that's the direction we're heading. We know Jeff's still involved in the discussions but the last formal word from him that we had was that he was out of it, for now, or at least until some of these i's and t's have been dotted and crossed.

I look forward to having this clarified. I don't need to be right on this issue as I'm just reading subjectively, of course.