Comments on: Message Board Is Almost Ready To Go…

By: Aj

Aj — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:51:43 +0000

J. J. Ramsey,

But saying “Don’t feed the troll” on a thread would be considered a violation of that stated restriction.

Have it ambiguous and general, not targeted at specific persons.

e.g.

If you think this person is trolling then don’t feed them.

By: J. J. Ramsey

J. J. Ramsey — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:23:47 +0000

AJ: “I thinking calling people a troll should be restricted, it can be a form of abuse. Telling people not to feed trolls is the best way to stop trolling.”

But saying “Don’t feed the troll” on a thread would be considered a violation of that stated restriction.

In general, I see any restriction that keeps one from calling a spade a spade to be a problem.

By: PrimateIR

PrimateIR — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 04:08:46 +0000

*groan*

All this stuff will evolve after the forum is in place! Let’s not drown in analysis paralysis.

How many more miles til this thing is up?

By: Aj

Aj — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:18:06 +0000

I can moderate, I’m pretty fanatical about freedom of speech so the ban hammer will get rather rusty.

I agree that there shouldn’t be a ban on calling people dishonest, but try to imply it instead, and show the evidence.

I thinking calling people a troll should be restricted, it can be a form of abuse. Telling people not to feed trolls is the best way to stop trolling. Most forums have an ignore feature for a reason.

Have separate forums for different topics is a must,. Having a “flamebait” forum that’s not moderated (apart from spam) and placing “hot” threads in there is a good idea. You don’t want to stifle rigorous discussion (unless you do), but you don’t want pointless squabbles either.

By: Helen

Helen — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:33:42 +0000

Unbrainedwashed, phpbb has a link you can click on to retrieve all new posts since you last logged in.

By: The Unbrainwashed

The Unbrainwashed — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:18:08 +0000

The message board should also include (probably as a front page) a list of the 10-15 most recently posted on threads. This will allow a reader to go to the threads where people are actively participating instead of clicking through all the different general topics.

By: J. J. Ramsey

J. J. Ramsey — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:31:30 +0000

One thing, though. On the IIDB, accusing someone of being a troll or being dishonest is considered a breach of the rules, and IMHO, this is a misfeature that makes it more difficult to point out when someone is cooking the evidence, e.g., quote mining. That’s one misfeature that should not be reproduced on the new forums.

By: J. J. Ramsey

J. J. Ramsey — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:09:35 +0000

I suggest using rules for forum conduct similar to those on the JREF forums or IIDB, which seem to work okay.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:31:01 +0000

I’ve moderated a somewhat large board in the past, and would be happy to lend my assistance!

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:57:22 +0000

I’m a long time forum rat and I don’t know if enforcing friendliness is a very good idea. In my experience the more rules a forum has the more “forum drama” occurs and consumes the message board.

I recommend a small set of core principals and an open moderator/member discussion of standards and decisions. There certainly should be a section for discussion of how the board should be run where anyone can post suggestions or questions of the moderators and admin. Don’t want to follow the IIDB model, in other words.

Good luck!