Spam definition in non-wrestling forums?

[Slyfox696]

I'm specifically referring to the Non-Wrestling sections of the forum. I've noticed, time and again, that threads are created in the Bar Room that could theoretically be placed in other forums. And we all know why. Because shorter posts are allowed, and posters aren't required to write a paragraph for each post.

However, I think that raises the question of whether or not the other forums serve much of a point. For example, the "Computers and Video Games" forum has a grand total of 70 threads in it, going back to last October. The Bar Room probably has 70 new threads in less than a week.

Would slightly lowering the spam expectations in the other forums increase the traffic there? If there was a thread created on Bret Favre and I could post "The Packers should allow Bret Favre back because of everything he's done for them" and it pass the spam code, would it increase traffic in those areas, as well as keep discussions for each topic on track and also lowering the traffic in the Bar Room in which active threads go back two or three pages? Suppose you made a new spam rule for those sections saying that you must "Make your post on-topic, have it make a point, and give at least one reason for your position", would that help? Taking Bret Favre again, "Bret Favre is great" is spam, but "Bret Favre is great because he's a 3 time MVP" wouldn't be. Would that help all sections of non-wrestling forums?


It's just a question, and I suppose a suggestion.



EDIT: Without actually trying to make a point, I wasn't sure where to put this, so I put it in the Bar Room...well, you know why. But honestly, not to make a point.

EDIT 2: Is the spam rule a little more relaxed already?

 

[Mighty NorCal]

no

 

[Slyfox696]

no

No, it's not more relaxed?

 

[Murfish]

I think that similar things have been discussed in the past here. I have to say that sympathize with this suggestion, but I'm not sure if it should be done. As I have said in the past I know I am capable of making intelligent posts, but I am still at times of afraid of posting. In the end it inspires me to be more careful and put more though into my posts, but I am still deliberately cautious. If the rules were changed, then I think the quality of posting here would depreciate.

 

[Slyfox696]

I think that similar things have been discussed in the past here. I have to say that sympathize with this suggestion, but I'm not sure if it should be done. As I have said in the past I know I am capable of making intelligent posts, but I am still at times of afraid of posting. In the end it inspires me to be more careful and put more though into my posts, but I am still deliberately cautious. If the rules were changed, then I think the quality of posting here would depreciate.

I'm not talking about in the wrestling forums, as there is already a spam version for wrestling threads there.

And, I don't think the quality would go down all that much. There are plenty of forums with GREAT non-wrestling discussion, one of which I'd rather post in that forums sports than a forum dedicated to sports. It's not about removing spam. But, how many sports or movie threads do we find in the Bar Room? Hell, how many wrestling threads do we find here? And why? Because people don't have to worry about getting spam infractions.

I'm just offering advice and a suggestion. I realize that it may not be taken, but I do think it could improve the quality of both the Bar Room and the other non-wrestling sections.

 

[Murfish]

There are sections that are okay with spam. Personally, I think that the post count should be removed in the Digital Arts section because it is all literally spam.

 

[Slyfox696]

There are sections that are okay with spam. Personally, I think that the post count should be removed in the Digital Arts section because it is all literally spam.

Post count can be removed in any and all forums as far as I'm concerned. I'm looking for better discussion, not increased post counts.

 

[Murfish]

Post count can be removed in any and all forums as far as I'm concerned. I'm looking for better discussion, not increased post counts.

I can agree with that. If the rules are made looser, then the post count should probably be removed. Because while the discussion might improve, at the same time more...malicious users may be empowered to gain pm and thread abilities.

 

[Papa Shango]

If a mod or Admin feels that a thread should be moved to a different forum, then they do so. Clearly, they don't see the harm in having some threads in here that do create discussion that could happen somewhere else. It's just easier to have discussions in here because frankly, most of the actual good posters come here, and the crappy ones... well, occasionally a few may slip in, but they tend to keep their pointless, never-ending arguements to the other forums. Frankly, the reason I most mainly in here is because, while technically a lot of it is spam, it's better than the crap I see when I venture to the non-spam forums.

 

[Slyfox696]

If a mod or Admin feels that a thread should be moved to a different forum, then they do so. Clearly, they don't see the harm in having some threads in here that do create discussion that could happen somewhere else. It's just easier to have discussions in here because frankly, most of the actual good posters come here, and the crappy ones... well, occasionally a few may slip in, but they tend to keep their pointless, never-ending arguements to the other forums. Frankly, the reason I most mainly in here is because, while technically a lot of it is spam, it's better than the crap I see when I venture to the non-spam forums.

But why do we all gather here? Because we can make short posts (well, except for Will...no one really knows why he posts here, because it's not for the short posts). But, generally, that's why the rest of us do so.

It just seems like it would be more organized to have sports threads in the sports forum, movie threads in the entertainment forum, and so on. I guess if no one minds, then it doesn't matter, but that kind of makes those forums rather pointless.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

This is a great point Sly raises. I will throw my two cents in tomorro when I get to work, but it's a great conversation for us to have.

 

[Shocky]

We've talked about it before, but the big confusion comes with people that go from the non to wrestling threads. It's tough for someone to realize the rules for those two different sections and the expectations of spam.

I'm indifferent really on it.

 

[HBK-aholic]

The only non wrestling sections to have the spam rule relaxed are the prison, and the Bar Room, as well as the VBookies.

The reason places like Computer and Video games are not active, is because people joim here to post wrestling. That's one thing all of us have in common. However, not that many people here maybe like computer and video games. I think that's probably the least active of the forums.

But as for relaxing the spam rule, I say no. Just like the wrestling sections, we want good discussions coming from the forums. 'Relaxing' the spam rule would soon accumulate to simply not enforcing it. In the same way the wrestling sections are, we don't look at length of post. A non-spam post could be 2 lines long. As long as reasons are added for an opinion, it isn't spam as it gives someone something to debate therefore generating discussion.

The Non-Wrestling sections will never be as busy as the Wrestling ones, as that's not what people sign up to do. And many people simply don't think about checking them for new posts they could discuss. But there's a reason WZ is the best forum I've ever been on, and that's how good the rules are here, and how good the mods are at enforcing them. I don't want to lower the level of enjoyment of the Non-Wrestling forums, to get a couple more people posting. If you relax the spam rule, on average good discussions are not going to come from that.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

HBK-aholic said is perfectly. When the spam rules were relaxed and the post count off in the chit chat and other NWS threads, the sections were not well off. Lately, we've been seeing more and more activity in the Chit Chat, Music, and TV / Film threads because mods and posters have taken the initiative to create topics that generate activity. The wrestling sections are active because that's the ONE thing we have in common - we're wrestling fans. But it's also good to know that we are a breed apart from the "stereotypical" wrestling fan, in that we can discuss other things as well, including politics and music.

It's just another thing that makes these boards the best on the net.

 

[justinsayne]

The only non wrestling sections to have the spam rule relaxed are the prison, and the Bar Room, as well as the VBookies.

The reason places like Computer and Video games are not active, is because people joim here to post wrestling. That's one thing all of us have in common. However, not that many people here maybe like computer and video games. I think that's probably the least active of the forums.

But as for relaxing the spam rule, I say no. Just like the wrestling sections, we want good discussions coming from the forums. 'Relaxing' the spam rule would soon accumulate to simply not enforcing it. In the same way the wrestling sections are, we don't look at length of post. A non-spam post could be 2 lines long. As long as reasons are added for an opinion, it isn't spam as it gives someone something to debate therefore generating discussion.

The Non-Wrestling sections will never be as busy as the Wrestling ones, as that's not what people sign up to do. And many people simply don't think about checking them for new posts they could discuss. But there's a reason WZ is the best forum I've ever been on, and that's how good the rules are here, and how good the mods are at enforcing them. I don't want to lower the level of enjoyment of the Non-Wrestling forums, to get a couple more people posting. If you relax the spam rule, on average good discussions are not going to come from that.

Thank you Becca, I was abut to say the same thing, but now you have just saved me the time it would take to type all that out, the relaxed spam rules are the main reason why I never stick around any of the other forums I have tried out

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I would reply to slyfoxs opening post. But I'd only want to reply once so I'll give this a miss and let the new admin sort it.

 

[Slyfox696]

We've talked about it before, but the big confusion comes with people that go from the non to wrestling threads. It's tough for someone to realize the rules for those two different sections and the expectations of spam.

I'm indifferent really on it.

Is it any different from going from the Bar Room or Spam wrestling forum and going anywhere else?

The reason places like Computer and Video games are not active, is because people joim here to post wrestling. That's one thing all of us have in common. However, not that many people here maybe like computer and video games. I think that's probably the least active of the forums.

Within the last week or two there have been like 3 or 4 different Bar Room threads regarding something to do with Firefox 3 alone. Sam has had a couple, I had one, and I think there was another one as well.

But as for relaxing the spam rule, I say no. Just like the wrestling sections, we want good discussions coming from the forums.

I don't understand this statement. Because, like I mentioned before, I'm on several forum, that get tremendous discussion and don't have such strict spam rules. Relaxing the spam rule won't degenerate the quality of discussion as long as the new spam restrictions are adhered to and enforced.

'Relaxing' the spam rule would soon accumulate to simply not enforcing it.

Why? Why do you assume that staff members would not do their job?

In the same way the wrestling sections are, we don't look at length of post. A non-spam post could be 2 lines long. As long as reasons are added for an opinion, it isn't spam as it gives someone something to debate therefore generating discussion.

It is a well known fact that length of post IS very much a determinant of spam for a lot of staff members. If I said "The Packers should play Favre because he is an MVP caliber quarterback", it would automatically be considered spam, regardless of the fact my post would be on topic, and have validation to my opinion.

The Non-Wrestling sections will never be as busy as the Wrestling ones, as that's not what people sign up to do.

I agree with that. But, that's not what I'm talking about. The low traffic in other non-wrestling forums many times can be attributed to the fact that the Bar Room gets those threads.

Take, for example, The Dark Knight. There is a thread in the Movie forum, that has 203 replies since March 4, 2007. There is also a thread in the Bar Room that has 274 replies since July 2, 2008. The first thread in the Movie forum was created well over a year before the Bar Room thread, but the Bar Room thread has 274 replies in it, in less than a month. Now, granted, there are probably a few off-topic posts in there, but I quickly scanned several pages of posts, and most of them dealt with the movie.

People are still talking about the movie, they're just doing it in the wrong forum. Why? Because you can post much shorter in the Bar Room.

But there's a reason WZ is the best forum I've ever been on, and that's how good the rules are here, and how good the mods are at enforcing them.

Well, don't be too humble now.

WZ is a fine forum, but the one thing it lacks is active members. There is plenty of quality discussion, but from the same 10-15 posters everytime.

I don't want to lower the level of enjoyment of the Non-Wrestling forums, to get a couple more people posting. If you relax the spam rule, on average good discussions are not going to come from that.

Completely false. And I can direct you to a forum that proves it.

Not that I would, due to the whole advertising thing, but theoretically, I could.


Furthermore, it's hard to have a lowering of discussion quality if there is nothing being discussed in the first place.

HBK-aholic said is perfectly. When the spam rules were relaxed and the post count off in the chit chat and other NWS threads, the sections were not well off. Lately, we've been seeing more and more activity in the Chit Chat, Music, and TV / Film threads because mods and posters have taken the initiative to create topics that generate activity. The wrestling sections are active because that's the ONE thing we have in common - we're wrestling fans. But it's also good to know that we are a breed apart from the "stereotypical" wrestling fan, in that we can discuss other things as well, including politics and music.

It's just another thing that makes these boards the best on the net.

I think there may be some confusion. I'm not saying that the spam rule should be eliminated, just relaxed. It would be enforced in the same way, except what is tolerated is lower. Getting people who post "The D@rk Kn!gh+ iz the coolezt dudez! " would not be allowed. Those posts would violate the spam rule. Besides, those same people can post the same exact thing in the Bar Room anyways.

It might would require another mod or two if sections start getting more posting, but I don't see why that would be a bad thing.

Thank you Becca, I was abut to say the same thing, but now you have just saved me the time it would take to type all that out, the relaxed spam rules are the main reason why I never stick around any of the other forums I have tried out

But, you're an active poster in the Bar Room, and (and I could be wrong), I also believe you take place in plenty of Live Discussion threads too.

And for the non-wrestling forums, the spam rule would be even tougher than the Bar Room and the Live Discussion threads.

I would reply to slyfoxs opening post. But I'd only want to reply once so I'll give this a miss and let the new admin sort it.

I laughed. Rep coming.



Maybe....


EDIT: In the time it took me to write this post, the Dark Knight Bar Room thread jumped to 284 replies, 10 more replies. The Entire Move Forum combined got none.

 

[HBK-aholic]

So basically, you're wondering why people post in the bar room over anywhere else in the Non wrestling Sections?

 

[Mighty NorCal]

p


I laughed. Rep coming.



Maybe....

Im sure Jake cares...

 

[Uncle Sam]

Actually considering what Sly wants? The world without Jonny.

 

[Slyfox696]

So basically, you're wondering why people post in the bar room over anywhere else in the Non wrestling Sections?

No, I KNOW why they post in the Bar Room over other sections.


What I'm saying is that the rules encourage it. If you were to relax the spam rule some, and allowed more to be posted, then thread that belong in those sections would be more likely to go in those sections.

As it is now, there are four or five threads in the first two pages of the Bar Room that technically fall under another category. But aren't there because it requires long drawn out posts to put them there.

Im sure Jake cares...

I meant maybe like I might be able to rep or might have to spread it around.

 

[HBK-aholic]

No, I KNOW why they post in the Bar Room over other sections.


What I'm saying is that the rules encourage it. If you were to relax the spam rule some, and allowed more to be posted, then thread that belong in those sections would be more likely to go in those sections.

As it is now, there are four or five threads in the first two pages of the Bar Room that technically fall under another category. But aren't there because it requires long drawn out posts to put them there.

Generally, as you said with The Dark Knight thread, there is a spam one and non spam one. Serious discussion about it goes in the movies thread, side parts about it go in the spam one.

 

[Slyfox696]

Actually considering what Sly wants? The world without Jonny.

The sad thing about this is that my suggestion, both on this topic and the other one from the a couple days ago, would actually IMPROVE the quality of the forum, if done correctly.

Which is why I just don't understand why people are so reluctant to change. Everyone talks about wanting to make this forum the best place possible, and yet when given a way to do it, they don't seem to want to actually go through with it.

 

[Slyfox696]

Generally, as you said with The Dark Knight thread, there is a spam one and non spam one. Serious discussion about it goes in the movies thread, side parts about it go in the spam one.

Then why bother with the non spam one?

And, obviously, I'm not the only who has said that, considering the spam version has almost 100 more posts than the non spam one is less than a month, compared to a year and several months in the non spam one.

 

[HBK-aholic]

The sad thing about this is that my suggestion, both on this topic and the other one from the a couple days ago, would actually IMPROVE the quality of the forum, if done correctly.

Which is why I just don't understand why people are so reluctant to change. Everyone talks about wanting to make this forum the best place possible, and yet when given a way to do it, they don't seem to want to actually go through with it.

Because we don't see it as a better way to change?