Suggestions on Forums « Giveaway of the Day Forums

Back to Giveaway of the Day

Giveaway of the Day Forums » Suggestions and proposals on our forums, blog or web-site

Suggestions on Forums

(13 posts) (6 voices)

Started 17 years ago by LadyGodiva
Latest reply from Anonymous

LadyGodiva
Member

Far be it for me to rain on anyone's parade but these forums need posted terms and conditions. There's disagreement on forum rules even among moderators. Examples:

This thread says posting any contact details is not allowed and for what sounds like good reasons:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/642#post-3362

Yet in these two threads contact details are posted anyway, by moderators:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/646#post-3308 (ICQ number posted)
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/636#post-3137 (email address posted)

Much of the forum, regardless of topic, reads like a chat room. Plenty of examples, here's only a few:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/652/page/3 (all of pages 2 & 3 look like an AIM conversation)
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/619 (chatting about tree frogs)
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/671 (chatting regarding evils of Vista after someone asked for and got no help at all)
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/672 (chatting about who's a girl, where people live, WREN uniforms)
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/676 (chatting about trolls)
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/166#post-3264 (chatting about politics)
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/16 (old begging post gets a new bump)
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/497#post-2443 (moderator's note left to "bobby" on debbie's post, no "bobby" in the thread)

Here someone asks if they can post a link because no one really knows what's OK to post:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/693

Here a user is advised to email or post a support question on a developer's forum even though this site's terms clearly specify no free tech support from developers on any of the programs:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/687#post-3786

All of the above was found with only 20 minutes of reading so surely there's more or even worse. Is it any wonder people don't come here for help? It's easy to find but if this forum were a person it would have a mood disorder. There's even a situation where moderators apparently aren't being informed whether or not sticky posts or new forum categories can be created. The best thing would be if this site just offered software and eliminated the forums entirely. They are not serving their intended purpose. But if they are going to stay then terms should be posted or there will continue to be more like the examples above.

Posted 17 years ago #
BuBBy
Teh adnim

hmm, you also noticed? I agree 100% and yesterday sent some draft forum guidelines to the rest of the team. Another site that explains content rules in a fashion that I think really makes sense is the phpbb site. http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=377404

I think that general idea trying to distinguish between "chat" and "discussion" is a good thing.

Rather than saying people cannot "chat", there is a section already in the forums "Talks - Off Topic Forum" for just such a purpose.

When I can I'll try to tidy some threads leaving behind the useful content. I am also working on some other ideas to capture and present the wealth of useful information so everyone can benefit from the experience of others. This is a slightly larger project and will take a bit more of my time before anyone else will be able to use it.

But thanks for the list of threads - I plead innocence on the ones with my name in them - That was my evil twin (when my role was to keep the moderators on their toes).

Posted 17 years ago #
triphammer
Member

Woah... Too much time on your hands. Obviously you're correct. I'm not so bothered by it.

It would be nice to have things with registration so contact info was shared though... like in an actual forum. But I understand GOTD and their reasoning behind it.

Posted 17 years ago #
Michelle
Member

I think it would be nice if rules and guidelines be posted, so I agree also. Then we know what we can and can't do.

Posted 17 years ago #
BuBBy
Teh adnim

OK - The actual rule list is in draft.

But here is the readers digest version, or executive summary.

1. Treat others in a polite, friendly and helpful manner.

2. No illegal stuff. (ie. Discussion of warez, publishing of serials etc)

3. Stay on topic. Make Topic titles "brief and descriptive".

4. Buy the moderators a drink (pizza is optional) should they ever visit your home town.

Posted 17 years ago #
Michelle
Member

What do the moderators like to drink?

Posted 17 years ago #
LadyGodiva
Member

Bubby, sounds great. How about adding some things like:

5. No registration code begging because you didn't know how to activate last week, forgot to activate, reformatted and lost GAOTD proggies, ...

6. Don't post one-liners like "I don't know either", "Me too", "LOL"

7. No general "warnings!" without solid posted proof to back up claims.

8. Buy moderators only non-alcohol drinks, they have to stay sharp.

9. Throw eggs at screen saver whiners if they visit your hometown.

@triphammer, not much time at all. 15 minutes reading + 5 to copy-paste-compile with browser addons = 20 minutes total.

GAOTD's preference on no contacts makes sense, some people would abuse it by sharing key codes. If developers thought this site was facilitating that it could kill the whole project.

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

*** Enough with the fault finding and finger pointing at members ***

To the ADMINISTRATOR [aka Casper the Ghost]:

Don't just put up a web site, then disappear from public view. You built this house. You should be seen to reside here, to some degree. Your absence generates confusion and frustration on the board. Members offer up suggestions, have questions, and often time-specific queries relating to software installation/activation/faults/possible infection. Many remain unaddressed, while others are not answered to satisfaction. If your intention is to remain in the background, then you need to supply your MODERATORS with further information, guidelines, tools and freedom, allowing them to operate in a more timely, efficient and effective manner..

MEMBERS and MODERATORS do a great job of helping eachother out here. Had you made it your business to read this forum and supply answers to either your MODERATORS, or to specific MEMBER queries/suggestions, there would be no need for us to waste more time writing/reading this particular thread, nor the like.

--------------------------------------------------
BuBBy:

As this thread has now gone 'way off-topic' with discussion of booze, pizza and hometown visits, I assume it will be closed forthwith and run through the appropriate Chinese Censorship Editor,....hmmm?

Posted 17 years ago #
Michelle
Member

Pretty harsh on the admin there Wolven.

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

Michelle:

Just adding my 2c, for what it's worth [wink]

Posted 17 years ago #
Michelle
Member

Who knows? Maybe the admin is e-mailing companies trying to get them involved in the Giveawayoftheday, which is a good thing.

Posted 17 years ago #
Wolven
Member

Sorry Michelle,

Multi-tasking 10 things here, phone rang and I had to run down the road at 5:30am.
Don't wish to appear ignorant by not answering. Hope my edit on the last post didn't throw you (me vewy, vewy tired too).

I understand that Admin. may be busy on other important tasks/projects. That is where the ability to delegate duties comes in. He has moderators, perhaps even partners, staff or family who could type up a set of forum guidelines for his perusal. Hell, if people are so overworked, tired, or just plain lazy,..rip a set of guidelines from another site, change a few lines and post it here - 5 minutes work - how difficult could that be?

Perhaps the real issue here is lack of communication from Admin. to Moderator. That is my suspicion, anyhow.

Well, I'll leave it there, before I ask you to dance, and get '[EDITED]'.

Posted 17 years ago #
Anonymous
Unregistered

Far be it for me to rain on anyone's parade but these forums need posted terms and conditions. There's disagreement on forum rules even among moderators. Examples:

This thread says posting any contact details is not allowed and for what sounds like good reasons:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/642#post-3362

I edited that post, due to email addies being put out.

There are two moderators, BuBBY & I, I was the only one till three days ago.

Posted 17 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.