Off-Topic Area: A suggestion/request

[Muzozavr]

-All posts must be in PG (can be amended since I have seen a little bit of profanity coming out from users, including Muz (no offense) and totally not PG discussion (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, also no offense))

Whooooooooops! Sorry. It started with me in the "what music do you love" thread when I linked the ending song (which is PG, I was careful) because I remembered it after being terrified by episode 8 of the anime... then TheoX turned out to be a Higurashi fan as well... and then Qloof joined us... and then I can't remember who had the idea to make a separate topic for it, then we put it in that topic and stopped cluttering the "what music do you love" thread and made a separate topic. Good thing too, since then the topic can be isolated.

Anyway, aside from me, Theo, and Qloof... I don't think anybody actually visits that topic anyway.

P.S. The Na in Naku is red.

[tyteen4a03]

So yeah, this rule can be edited a bit.

[billy bob]

Moderation would ONLY apply to Offtopic (or Offtopic/Silly) and not to any other part of the forum. The General Discussion is the one area that I do read and step in regularly. The Level Exchange areas are working fine as is.

There is often Spam in WA Editor General Discussion.

Chat, Jokes, other discussions. Anything that is not related to Wonderland.

MS really needs to edit this. That says you can post the things that the rules say not to.



(Off-topic: Odd how Stinky is only a bronze Wonderlander.)

[arvis36]

I wanted to be a Moderator in "Custom Adventures" But I can't...

[Marinus]

BB since that description is just a very short addition to the name of the subforum, it can't contain the entire descripion. You know "anything" in that sentence means: anything which is not against the rules, don't you?

[off-topic]It's still fascinating to you how many posts someone has isn't it? Don't worry, also the other time that I said something about that was meant to be a joke.

[Sammy_Bro]

How about a quiz to see who becomes a moderator?

[billy bob]

[off-topic]It's still fascinating to you how many posts someone has isn't it? Don't worry, also the other time that I said something about that was meant to be a joke.

[also off-topic]No, I said that because Stinky is the main character in Wonderland and he or she has only a bronze Wonderland rating.

[Marinus]

BB: http://pcpuzzle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=258804#258804

[dlcs18]

Why didn't you just post that in this topic instead of bumping up a topic from 2006?

EDIT: Yes, I know I bumped it up too but that was only a 1 year gap.

[Marinus]

[Off-Topic]Because I didn't want to post too much off topic in this topic. (since this is a pretty serious topic about the future of the Wonderland forum)

Did you have a problem with it?

[dlcs18]

Not really, I was just curious.

[Marinus]

Thanks! It's always good to be curious in my opinion. Otherwise it will be the end of the Wonderland forum. (including the off-topic's)

[Qloof234]

Interesting discussion so far, let me just pipe in with a few points:

Let me re-iterate that - if an option like #3 or #4 (which I'm not opposed to on principle) is taken, what I'm most looking for is a set of rules and guidelines of what is and isn't appropriate, and how moderators should handle this. Basically, Off-Topic (or Silly) would be a place collectively governed by those interested in it. I would be watching it to see how it develops and if it stays a stable sub-community. As a result:

1. I would definitely want moderators from within the community. As others have said, there is a need for a moderator to understand the current culture of the place. Muz and Qloof's names have been mentioned, I for one would not be opposed to this suggestion, assuming they would be willing.

Sure, I'd love to help.

Having been around since some of the earlier days, I can remember how much better things went on the forum back then. I'd love to see that kind of community make a comeback and to help in any way that I can.

[Marinus]

Spoken like a true politician. You're hired!

Oh wait; I'm not the one to make that decision.

[tyteen4a03]

Spoken like a true politician. You're hired!

Oh wait; I'm not the one to make that decision.

@Sammy_P: Does that really mean anything?

[VirtLands]

Well, I see that my previous reply got bureid,

Though only about 10% of the Off-Topic discussion material
seems to be of any precious relevance, it would be a tragedy for
it to be deleted, as I have enjoyed some aspect of it.

My idea number 2 is this:

User's posts can be placed on a kind of circular queue (or buffer);
(It would essentially be like an assembly line or treadmill, sort off.)

For the Off-Topic Disc section, each user would be allotted
a circular queue that holds about 10 posts (more or less);

At the point where the queue is full, an 11th post causes the
1st (=oldest) post to vaporize (self-delete), and that would free
up space (and bytes).
And with a circular buffer, it wouldn't matter how often users
post since at all times they would ALWAYS only have 10 posts!

Each 11th post becomes the new 10th post, because post #1
vaporizes. { All the posts get shifted along. }

(The conversation stays fresh, and it won't be a ghost-town.)

In addition, posts that are themselves replies to posts that
vaporize, shall also self-vaporize, -a bonus!
For special effects there can be a 'popping' sound whenever a
post disappears; when multiple posts disappear at the same time,
then you shall multiple 'pops'.

Also, each user may be rewarded two "stickies"; the user may
choose which of their posts shall be stickied. They will choose
a valuable post that they do not want to enqueue in the circular
queue, such as any post that has a picture or an attachment.
Stickied posts can be un-stickied and this stickiness can be applied
to another post if they change their mind.

In summary:
There are 10 posts in a circular buffer + 2 stickied posts for
a total of 12 posts for each user, ..forever.

And since there shall never be more than 12 posts for each user,
then there never shall be any clutter or overposting, since
it would be IMPOSSIBLE, but at same, users may post as often
as they please.

Of course, if moderators decide that certain individuals are
abusing their sticky privileges then their stickies can be taken
away from them, or their circular buffer can be made even SMALLER!

This is an example of a circular queue:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[tyteen4a03]

I don't see the point of it. This is a forum not a chatroom.

Also, with limited techinical support it would be very hard to code. (assuming MS does not know PHP)

And again post from deeman:

9001. If you REALLY wanna axe the offtopic area (NOT RECOMENDED) then replace it with a game maker game (Such as Adventures of Dancing Duck, Lyglo, and Wefight - the game.) subforum. DESCRIPTION: Discuss game Maker and games made with it. Wefight goes here too.

My opinion: This is Wonderland game forum not Game maker game forum.

[Marinus]

Andy, I think this is a special idea again, and although I like special idea's, I also wonder if it would make a better forum.

As far as I can see it only reduces the quantity of posts in the end, but it doesn't reduce the quantity of nonsense posts at the moment of posting.

Also, both of your idea's don't do anything about the quality of posts. As long as there is no Lieutenant Commander Data (assuming you know a bit of Star Trek) no computer can do that.

It seems you want to equalize the amount of posts of each user. Well, in that case you should post a bit more often. Maybe then "off topic life" would be more interesting.

Edit:

I forgot to say: Since your system would delete all old posts, it makes it impossible to read back what's been said half a year ago. And it probably would happen many times that a post is deleted by accident, because a user forgot to "stick" it.

Edit 2: (post below) I think the size of the database is not really the problem.

[tyteen4a03]

I think that idea is used to reduce the size of database.

[Nobody]

Bad idea: Here's an example using wefight (although wefight isn't the only thing that would be affected)

Post 1 N: Googly-Face says: "I am a T'nac. Doctor Doctor is out to enslave me. Boo hoo."

Nobody says: "I'll help you, of course!"
Post 1 M: MyNameIsKooky sees a hamburger.

MyNameIsKooky says: "A hamburger in a rocky valley? GIMME."

Post 2 N: Nobody looks for MyNameIsKooky.

Post 2 M: MyNameIsKooky gets closer to the hamburger.

Post 3 N: Nobody sees MyNameIsKooky from above the valley.

Nobody starts to run down into the valley!

Post 3 M: Evil Bunny says: "I have returned, once again trying to turn people into Paheets using burgers! Mwahahaha!"

Post 4 N: Nobody is halfway down the valley!

Post 1 D: Deeman throws a sock at the giant pencil!

Post 5 N: That's not following the plot.

Post 4 M: MyNameIsKooky grabs the burger.

Post 6 N: Nobody gets down the valley!

Nobody says: "STOP!!!"

Post 5 M: MyNameIsKooky says: "Why?"

Post 7 N: Nobody says: "It's a trap!"

Post 6 M: MyNameIsKooky says: "Prove it."

Post 8 N: Evil Bunny jumps out and tries to shove the burger into MyNameIsKooky's mouth!

MyNameIsKooky says: "Proof enough."

Post 7 M: (I have plans.)

Post 9 N: (Oh. Never mind that post then.)

Post 8 M: (OK.)

MyNameIsKooky starts bringing the burger towards his mouth.

Post 10 N: Nobody runs at MyNameIsKooky!

Post 9 M: MyNameIsKooky takes a bite out of the burger.

Post 11 (POP) N: Nobody falls in a pit and finds an extremely twisty pipe!

Googly-Face is getting sucked into the pipe!

Nobody says: "GOOGLY-FACE!!!"

Post 1 B: Who the heck is Googly-Face? Wefight has no plot.

Post 12 (POP) N: Dangit, I used up my stickies on my two Wefight-The Game preview posts!

[Marinus]

I have a suggestion to reduce spamming behavior of users. If a user posts spam such as:

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY bumped an old topic!

a moderator should, instead of deleting it, move that post to a separate spam-subforum, which is locked, but visible for everyone.

At the moment there are 2 spam posts of the same user, that user should get an official warning. 3 spam posts = banned for a week, and more then 3: banned for a longer time. As soon as a spam post is 6 months old, it should be deleted.

[^_^]

Man, that would make the forum quiet, and you are talking as if WEFIGHT were spam .

[Marinus]

Man, that would make the forum quiet

I don't think so. Lots of people are complaining about spam and silly posts (or using much more different words for it). Probably several people have left the forum (or the off-topic's) for that reason, and maybe more people will do in the future, if there will be no action against spam.

and you are talking as if WEFIGHT were spam .

I think, if a post is considered being spam, does not only depend on the post itself, but also on the topic(title) where it's posted.

Probably the people who use to post in Wefight: Nobody and Kooky, don't find their posts spam. People who don't like Wefight have nothing to do in there.

Edit:

Also, (^_^ and Matt) according to Wikipedia, I did not bump:

To bump a thread on an Internet forum is to post a reply to it purely in order to raise the thread's profile. This will typically return it to the top of the list of active threads. It has been suggested that "bump" is an acronym of "bring up my post"

[tyteen4a03]

I have a suggestion to reduce spamming behavior of users. If a user posts spam such as:

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY bumped an old topic!

a moderator should, instead of deleting it, move that post to a separate spam-subforum, which is locked, but visible for everyone.

At the moment there are 2 spam posts of the same user, that user should get an official warning. 3 spam posts = banned for a week, and more then 3: banned for a longer time. As soon as a spam post is 6 months old, it should be deleted.

Doesn't make much sense to me about moving post. It's like trying to embarass (sp) the users publicly.

3.studIo current punishset for small offenses (spam, etc):
1. 5 Warnings
(THESE ARE ONLY APPLIED IF THE USER MAKES A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF SPAM. If they are only individual cases, 1 will be repeated)
2. regimod 1 month (ignore because phpBB2 has no regimod feature)
3. ban 7 days, regimod 3 months
4. ban 14 days, regimod 6 months
5. ban 1 month, regimod 1 year
6. ban 6 months, regimod 1 year
7. ban 1 year, regimod 1 year
8. Permaban

[Marinus]

Since #1 includes 5 warnings, and #2 is ignored, means #3 actually should be #6, right?

Should the amount of warnings be visible for everyone? If yes, it will also "embarrass the users publicly." If not, it may cause corruption, if the spammer is a friend of the moderators.

Is there also a "Statute of limitations" like my 6 months example?

How much exactly are "A MASSIVE AMOUNT" and "only individual cases"?
And in how long time?

Actually I think my system will work better.

[Qloof234]

Have a "Trash" subforum with a description something like this:

"The Trash forum. Flaming, spam, and the like go here. This category is an example of what not to do on the forum."

perhaps?

[Marinus]

Well, I hadn't thought of it as "an example of what not to do" in the first place, but that may also be a good idea.

I think you'll be a good moderator!

Edit: Oh, and BTW, I like your new signature. (at least that part I can read ) May I assume the English words are just the translation of the Chinese words?

Edit 2:

I was just wondering: What would happen if I changed my avatar into a picture of, for example, Adolf Hitler? (Or perhaps, the devil himself. )

[Qloof234]

Well, I hadn't thought of it as "an example of what not to do" in the first place, but that may also be a good idea.

I think you'll be a good moderator!

Thanks.

This actually underlines one of the things I really like about this community - I've always been a bit of a "loner" or "outcast" in real life, and the sense of belonging or fitting in that I get from being part of this community is wonderful.

Edit: Oh, and BTW, I like your new signature. (at least that part I can read ) May I assume the English words are just the translation of the Chinese words?

The Japanese part is actually the catchphrase of one of the characters out of that Higurashi/Umineko series. Translation would be something like: "It's useless, it's all useless" - which is his response whenever he has a point to prove... or something.

[Marinus]

I've always been a bit of a "loner" or "outcast" in real life,

Me too. I think I'll make a new topic to reply on your post, in a few days. You said some interesting things.

This is a forum not a chatroom.

That's true, but when I look at Nobody's post about Wefight, it does seem to me a chatroom. However, it's not bothering me at all. I think {N/n}obody will reach the end of the rainbow. (Kooky; go for it )

But believe me; there is really no pot with gold there.

[tyteen4a03]

Since #1 includes 5 warnings, and #2 is ignored, means #3 actually should be #6, right?

Should the amount of warnings be visible for everyone? If yes, it will also "embarrass the users publicly." If not, it may cause corruption, if the spammer is a friend of the moderators.

Is there also a "Statute of limitations" like my 6 months example?

How much exactly are "A MASSIVE AMOUNT" and "only individual cases"?
And in how long time?

Actually I think my system will work better.

1. Firstly there will be 5 warnings given, if the user keeps making spam etc, then #3 will be executed. So yes, #3 should be #6.
2. phpBB2 does not have a built in warning system, but from what I see in other forums they either have warning/infraction kept to themselves and the mods or not show to the user at all.
3. I am lost here.
4. A 'massive amount' doesn't have a static limit - common sense will help. Individual cases means warnings will only stack if the user is spamming again in a short period of time since the warning is given.

@Q: This is not a cheating scene forum. Punishment discussions should always be kept in PMs.

@Marinus about spammer-has-mod-as-friend-thing: Moderators should always be clean. Regardless of the relation of the rule breaker, he still broke the rule. A mod is required to not do such things - it can be easy to find out.

(How I do it: let another mod handle it)