The Swim Archive

[dr_gonzo]

Well said Lunar.

And I hadn't even thought about the lack personality that the less communal feel.

I don't see any end to the amount of new users coming, if anything I only see an increase coming.

[harryfrodo]

I agree fully.

There just seemed to be an overall clean atmosphere of the old forums. The mods weren't as strick as they were before, and the community was mostly respectable.

Now, it's like the mods will delete a thread if it goes off-topic for a single page, and the rants section is just a list of flames. It's horrible. Incoherent Babbling is just a disaster. It's gone to the point of no return. You cannot participate in a single intelligent thread without some idiot flaming everyone, and it gets deleted.

I smell a reformation.

[harryfrodo]

No kidding. I was sitting around, bored out of my mind on Saturday morning. So what did I do? I looked to see what the names of the new members were, to see if there were any funny or interesting names. I didn't really find any, but that is beside the point.

I sign on again in the evening, and the entire "Welcome the new members of the boards" list is totally different. Not a single name that was on that list in the morning, was still displayed in the evening. It's like over 20 joined up over the period of 6 hours.

And I keep checking, day after day. It's a new list each morning and evening. It's amazing how many people that are joining, but it still the same general population of people posting.

[SwimMod_Nu]

Actually, we're pretty much the same on this forum as with the older one. It's just more noticeable when we delete threads or ban people, because the layout is cleaner.

Message Edited by SwimMod_Nu on 03-02-2004 05:47 PM

[Bio]

Going along with the general belief that the number of mods should be increased I feel that, if there were more mods, it would be most efficient for one or two mods (two is somewhat necessary since they need to sleep, but I said one based on supply) as the mod(s) of each section. In other words two mods would have mod abilities in and the responsibility to control Rants, two for William Streets Culture, two for Babbling etc. Though this would require quite a large amount of mods I think this would be the best way for all the sections to be taken care of. Then again the chance they can get enough mods who are willing to work hard enough to make it work is next to none, but I can dream.

[R.I.P.Why_was_I_banned]

Yes it is lovely.  But its ok to go a little off track every once in a while, as long as we get back to the topic, right?

[SwimMod_Nu]

For two or three posts, maybe, but not when it comprises half the thread.

[Sunnysidez86]

Nu I feel for ya, its like you (the mods) work customer service but do not get paid.

i work in a call center and i have to be nice and all but i get paid, it just seems lately that some just complain about the mods.  So i salute you!

The state of the boards like time will be in flux so i believe with positive reaction from basically all of the "old guard" people who have posted so far as long as we do our best on informing new people these boards will follow suit.

[SwimMod_Nu]

Right on!

[insert appropriate latin phrase here]

[harryfrodo]

You have a point there ...

[harryfrodo]

Wait, whaaaaaaatttt?!

Since when were you all buddy-buddy with the mods? Last I saw, you were posting in threads of how the mods don't spend enough time around here to fulfill their duties.

[Sunnysidez86]

oh that was months ago. late december early jan roughly.

Time just like people change.

[SwimMod_Nu]

And we love it when it's for the better.
Good posters that we don't want to ban are awesome, and always welcome.

[harryfrodo]

Actually, I saw you posting a thread about the topic last week ... but uhhh ... whatever.

[dr_gonzo]

Yeah, please don't get into it here. Byte's got a great thread going here, please try not to ruin it.

[harryfrodo]

Please. Just because I said a few posts, this place isn't going to go down the drain or anything. And I've done a great deal of suggestions for the mods, and I even held a brief conversation with them a few days ago.

Don't act like I'm posting horrible things.

I was just confused to why he said that, when he posted a thread against them last week. But yes. You're right. This isn't the place for it. But I wasn't exactly going to deviate from the main topic for five pages over it. I actually was done discussing it after that last post.

But as I said before, I've posted many great ideas in this thread. Don't act like I don't belong in here or something, just because I was talking to sunny for five minutes.

[R.I.P.Why_was_I_banned]

I like the new board style, but I must admit the one thing i had to get used to was separate folders.  I liked it when all of the folders were visible.  More accesible.  I also think that it would be good when posting a new thread, to select which category to put it into.  This would help in not misplacing threads.

[SwimMod_Nu]

But I think it's more helpful, because you actually have to be in the folder to post in it. Before, you might accidently select the wrong folder for a thread. Though I admit, there is convenience in that.

The scroll board option is great. Very helpful for quick folder navigation. Which is nice when one wants to post a thread outside of the folder in which he or she is.

[Sunnysidez86]

I remember booing the AD sales dept for the decision that was made but nothing bashin mods or anything.

meh

but again it IS up to the tenured people to be the example of leadership the mods know we can be!

that may seem to some like i am changing my ways, yes a bit but i will still have posts drippin with sarcasm when it needs to be applied

[ByteOfNarsil]

Well, I think I'll chime in now (I didn't earlier, I didn't want to risk setting a tone for the thread).  But things have gone along nicely for the last week :-)

The post I'm writing now is my interpretation of how things look right now, but one of the reasons these Boards are so interesting is that if you don't like them, wait a week and see how things look.  So these are just my thoughts as of late 3/4/04.

I'll start with Moderation, which is an issue that's sorta at the forefront today.  We're back to Seven, which might be enough to keep these Boards (which at the very least, appear larger than the old boards) in check.  There have been a lot of complaints in the last month and a half about under-moderation, and things that wouldn't have flown for five minutes on the old boards have survived quite a while in the darker corners.  But the danger of under-moderation is arguably as big a problem as over-moderation.  Too many Mods would mean bored Mods, and bored Mods can be facist Mods, and that's none too fun for everyone.  There have been numbers thrown about for how many Mods would be appropriate (I am reading my own thread, beleive it or not).  So it's a matter of striking a balance.

Folders.

The AdultSwim.com folder has been a bit swamped by Rank Spam and the like due to recent developments, but generally this folder is kept in fairly good shape (as is Williams Street Culture).

The Noise Folders are a mixed bag at the momment.  As was said earlier, Incoherent Babbling isn't in the best of shape.  It's never been a haven of intelligent conversation, but it's been awfully chatty and spammy since the switch.  There is currently only one very notable chat thread up though, so things aren't too bad there as of late.  Rants tends to be about more current events and politics (as people tend to be just angry about the present, it's a shame we can't have History discussions with so much fervor ).  Babbling is a tad repetative, but there are some very pleasent topics to be found there.  Noise is in nice shape though, I think.

The Structure of the Boards is a bit strange though, I think.  The current layout seems to discourage some of the more lazy people from frequenting many folders (they are several clicks away and all).  So that seems to inspire the people who stay in just one or two Folders (people who say they are Incoherent Babblers and the like).  I don't think that's benificial for the Boards as a whole.

There are some nice things about the structure though.  You don't have to worry about accidently seeing Spoilers (you can just avoid a specific folder).  And, as seen with the recent Rank shuffle, threads can be floated to the top of each Folder and direct traffic to an explanation to help quell some unneeded chaos.

Overall, things seem to be going in the right direction.  Changes big and small cause an awful lot of ruckus around here, but they seem to be mostly bumps in the night :-)

(decent post, I thought)

[R.I.P.VespaWoman]

---

The Structure of the Boards is a bit strange though, I think.  The current layout seems to discourage some of the more lazy people from frequenting many folders (they are several clicks away and all).  So that seems to inspire the people who stay in just one or two Folders (people who say they are Incoherent Babblers and the like).  I don't think that's benificial for the Boards as a whole.

Aww Byte...you shouldn't have!  I love being indirectly brought into conversations

You're right...I do tend to only frequent two folders:  Babbling and Action Discussion.  I rarely post, though...too many inane topics floating about.

As I've mentioned in the past, the old boards were like a bright room with padded walls.  Nowhere to hide, everything in the open, and much easier to navigate....they had more of a close, comfortable, "homey" atmosphere.  The new boards just have too many dark little corners for things to hide, rot, and fester in.

As far as the folders are concerned, I haven't visited AS.com very often, but I have noticed a definite decline in Incoherent Babbling (but who hasn't?) and now in the Babbling folder itself.  As mentioned above (credit to whoever you are), Babbling has become IB and IB is just a wasteland....or maybe chat/spam-land is more appropriate.  The Action folders seem to be in pretty good shape, besides the odd thread or two.  Posters definitely need to make an effort to scope out similar threads before making their own.  Advanced Search people...it's a lifesaver...keeps you from wasting your time on a thread which will probably just get deleted...and saves those of us who have noticed similar threads from having to post to tell you that there are similar threads.

As far as moderating is concerned...I won't complain too much because I know that the mods are doing what they can.  Hopefully the new addition will make that much more of a difference.

Now into the issue of the exponentially increasing number of new members.  From what I've seen...just as many new members leave as join daily.  I'm not too worried about the number of members as I am with the number who actually take time to read the rules and FAQ.  We've all seen that none of them do...but the best thing that we can do is point them in the right direction.  They have the choice of reading it and adhering to the rules, or blatantly disobeying, ultimately leading to their own demise.  It's a win-win situation for the older members...either we'll have an informed new poster among us...or we'll be rid of yet another annoying flamer/troller/chatter.

And that's my two cents...hope it's somewhat legible...this is the longest post I've made in months!  

Message Edited by VespaWoman on 03-04-2004 11:05 PM

[scoobdog]

This is a great thread!

I'm generally pretty easy going with message boards, so I'll adapt to whatever is there.

The one thing I do like about this Lithium incarnation is that the isolation of folders does tend to keep the spammers and trolls away from the Action and Comedy discussions. Its a lot easier to have a more complicated discussion without someone getting it deleted with their chatter.

For what the mods put up with and for the fact they do it gratis, they deserve everyone's respect.

[dr_gonzo]

Excellent points Byte, but I wonder, how many mods do you think we need?

[harryfrodo]

Many excellent points you've brought up Byte. Better than mine, actually. But there's a few things I disagree with ... Not really much ... only three things. But still.

---

ByteOfNarsil wrote:

Well, I think I'll chime in now (I didn't earlier, I didn't want to risk setting a tone for the thread).  But things have gone along nicely for the last week :-)

The post I'm writing now is my interpretation of how things look right now, but one of the reasons these Boards are so interesting is that if you don't like them, wait a week and see how things look.  So these are just my thoughts as of late 3/4/04.

I'll start with Moderation, which is an issue that's sorta at the forefront today.  We're back to Seven, which might be enough to keep these Boards (which at the very least, appear larger than the old boards) in check.  There have been a lot of complaints in the last month and a half about under-moderation, and things that wouldn't have flown for five minutes on the old boards have survived quite a while in the darker corners.  But the danger of under-moderation is arguably as big a problem as over-moderation.  Too many Mods would mean bored Mods, and bored Mods can be facist Mods, and that's none too fun for everyone.  There have been numbers thrown about for how many Mods would be appropriate (I am reading my own thread, beleive it or not).  So it's a matter of striking a balance.

Folders.

The AdultSwim.com folder has been a bit swamped by Rank Spam and the like due to recent developments, but generally this folder is kept in fairly good shape (as is Williams Street Culture).

The Noise Folders are a mixed bag at the momment.  As was said earlier, Incoherent Babbling isn't in the best of shape.  It's never been a haven of intelligent conversation, but it's been awfully chatty and spammy since the switch.  There is currently only one very notable chat thread up though, so things aren't too bad there as of late.  Rants tends to be about more current events and politics (as people tend to be just angry about the present, it's a shame we can't have History discussions with so much fervor ).  Babbling is a tad repetative, but there are some very pleasent topics to be found there.  Noise is in nice shape though, I think.

The Structure of the Boards is a bit strange though, I think.  The current layout seems to discourage some of the more lazy people from frequenting many folders (they are several clicks away and all).  So that seems to inspire the people who stay in just one or two Folders (people who say they are Incoherent Babblers and the like).  I don't think that's benificial for the Boards as a whole.

There are some nice things about the structure though.  You don't have to worry about accidently seeing Spoilers (you can just avoid a specific folder).  And, as seen with the recent Rank shuffle, threads can be floated to the top of each Folder and direct traffic to an explanation to help quell some unneeded chaos.

Overall, things seem to be going in the right direction.  Changes big and small cause an awful lot of ruckus around here, but they seem to be mostly bumps in the night :-)

(decent post, I thought)

---

(1) Mods. Now that's a touchy subject. All of the mods react to different threads differently, and the amount of time they spend really depends on what their schedule is. I think the numbers are good, and it's keeping us in check. But on certain days (Sunday, especially) we rearely have more than two mods on at once.

I understand that mods have lives. I do too. We all do. Jobs, school, and other obligations (friends, relatives, girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband, children, etc) get in the way of these forums. That's life. I won't deny it, nor should anyone else. But we are going through a tough time for the forums, and we need more support for the mods and administrators.

Whether that requires more moderators, or just mods to spend more time around here, we need to do what is required to make things run smoothly. At the amount of members we have, I have in no doubt of my mind that adding one or two more mods to the team would really make the leadership act any different than they do now.

(2) That's where the "Go to..." drop down folder comes in. You can browse any section from where you are, and one click will send you to its thread listing.

(3) Decent? I call that a hell of a job well done.

[Crimm]

I'll say, to the Mod's credit, in the last week or so, I've seen no (or almost no) InuYasha love/hate,  why do you love/hate,  why bash fans/ fans are stupid threads

I chocked it up the the Beez (you go man!  even if the only post i've seen of yours is in your welcome thread)

But I think we all know in a month or so when InuYasha gets pulled again this will change.  This is gonna sound extreme (cuz it is, and thats why I love it) but during those weeks InuYasha shoud apear as **bleep**.  Or if the words "back on" and "InuYasha" apear in the body it shoud be instantly deleted.

The problem with the number of Mods is the sheer number of places for all the crap to hide in.  Inco has more recently come under Luuv's iron fist after the outbreak of the temple threads  (OAB is pretty chatty too, so someone might wanna take a look).
She seems to have restored some symbolance of order, and that made me think, if you assign a mod a specific board to monitor the shadowy reigons will be pushed back, no? 
Im suggesting, although this sounds like a lot, but a new mod for each of these boards charged with the sole job of managing their little region.  The preexisting mods would continue to server in the same role as they do now.  Im not suggesting these new mods just have local authority, but when you offer them the job tell em that their primary goal is to keep their section clean.

I would Start with announcements.... that Buddha character needs to be reigned in; he's such a troublemaker!

In this regard if someone is unable to manage a section independently, than the roving mods will know what places they can leave to be handled and where their focus is needed.  Its clear that some sections will need more effort than others.

In conclusion, I think we could solve some of the problems by banning that Swim_Buddha guy.