We've got a major problem...

djchameleon · 08-08-2013, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla

I beg to differ.

I actually think it speaks volumes about a person when they can move past their personal grievances, put it aside and not bring anyone down. I think people can have a grudge but still just be a contributing member of MB. As long as no rules are broken or unnecessary accusations are thrown at others. But that's just my opinion.

The point I was trying to make is that not everyone can do that. It's not an easy thing to do and they shouldn't have to be forced to do it or made to feel like they are lesser for not being able to do it.

Mojo · 08-08-2013, 04:14 AM

I haven't read through this entire thread, only about half of it, so forgive me if I'm slightly off pace. It's a lot to take in.

I'd have to go all the way back to the first couple of pages and Pedestrians posts to find one I completely, 100% agree with.

The way I see it is this:

The Lounge and the supposed problems it creates. There are even people here saying that people shouldn't post in The Lounge so much. What gives anyone the right to say that, when it is there to be used? It's quite simple really, if you don't want to read whats being posted in The Lounge, just don't use it. It should be policed, it will create more provocative discussion than the music forums by the very nature of it, but nobody is forcing you to use it. The way I see it is that the only people who do have to visit it and read it are the mods, because they need to police it. I have and I'm sure I will find something there to annoy me, but as a regular member it's so much easier to deal with the minority of posts in there that grind my gears - I just click out of that thread and move on to another one.

I don't think theres a question and answer system to fix anything here. I don't think it's a case of anyone going "Ok, this is what I don't like about MB - fix it" and closing down sub-forums etc to achieve a better, more positive, healthier forum. I don't think we can do that. I think to even attempt to achieve that (and who knows, maybe it just isnt possible) what would be required is a complete overhaul - and not in content, but in attitude.

I don't think we are a very welcoming forum. I think some new members will feel welcomed which is great, that means they got through. I'd bet that more don't get through, cause either they directly have an interaction with someone that puts them off, or they observe what happens here and decide they don't like it. Or they just don't think theres much of anything happening here at all and that we aren't a healthy enough forum to warrant their time.

To change that I think there are many members who need to recognise their part within that. Who need to recognise that the attitude they take onto the forums could be better, they could be more tolerant, they could treat people with more respect, and they make people feel more welcome. Posting in intro threads isn't enough (but certainly shouldn't be discouraged!) but a unanimous effort, I feel, would need to be made to start to take steps in the right direction to making this forum look a much more welcoming, warm, healthy place to any user who signs up with even a slight consideration given to staying here. If that were achievable, you may just find the forum would become more prosperous, because it would be much more enjoyable to be here rather than feel like so much of a chore at times.

For example this week has felt a huge chore for me, and so I haven't been here much. Only this morning did I remember that DJ has sent his album for Mystery Album Club out - a thread that, if people make use it, can only help to create music discussion and bring the community together in an activity to do together - and I've forgotten all about it. Out of sight, out of mind.

Both recognising where their attitude could improve and attempting to improve it, is applicable to everyone. Regular users and moderators. After all, the way I see it, the way in which a forum is moderated does effect the overall attitude and tone of the forum.

I'm not saying we should all be kissy face with each other and false, plastic versions of our true selves but I tend to try to think of that new visitor to the site who takes a look around, consider what they might just see, depending on what threads they click into, and am never surprised if that person doesn't come back.

djchameleon · 08-08-2013, 05:07 AM

Okay, the thing I don't understand about the posts of some people in here is how can you speak from the perspective of a new person? You don't know how welcoming/unwelcoming this place is.

Everyone that has mentioned gripes about it are speaking as veterans that know the ins and outs of this place back and front. New users don't tend to know every inch of the place when they first arrive. You guys are speaking about internal things that you know about speaking from a veterans point of view and I don't think that makes sense.

Astronomer · 08-08-2013, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

Okay, the thing I don't understand about the posts of some people in here is how can you speak from the perspective of a new person? You don't know how welcoming/unwelcoming this place is.

Everyone that has mentioned gripes about it are speaking as veterans that know the ins and outs of this place back and front. New users don't tend to know every inch of the place when they first arrive. You guys are speaking about internal things that you know about speaking from a veterans point of view and I don't think that makes sense.

But everyone was new once...

djchameleon · 08-08-2013, 05:14 AM

Yes but everyone isn't new nowadays in this environment that we are talking about. Everyone is comparing their new days to what is going on today and that's not the same. Times change.

Astronomer · 08-08-2013, 05:24 AM

misspoptart, 216, sopsych, ninetales and Paul smeenus are all new members who have posted in this thread yet low and behold, their posts tend to get left by the wayside for comments on veteran member posts, so it's a catch-22...

djchameleon · 08-08-2013, 05:33 AM

Yeah, I mentioned that to Mojo in the shoutbox. Those are the ones we should be paying attention to.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 08-08-2013, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

Yeah, I mentioned that to Mojo in the shoutbox. Those are the ones we should be paying attention to with the exception of sopsych. I really feel that is someone's sock account and they only come out of the woodworks for threads like this.

Astronomer · 08-08-2013, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

Yeah, I mentioned that to Mojo in the shoutbox. Those are the ones we should be paying attention to with the exception of sopsych. I really feel that is someone's sock account and they only come out of the woodworks for threads like this.

They do have over 600 posts though... but yeah I wasn't sure about that one either.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 08-08-2013, 05:47 AM

I really don't think this is an appropriate thread for labelling individual members as trolls, sock puppets, or whatever, when the whole point of it in the first place was to discuss ways of getting away from that.
Would it really hurt to judge the tone of the matter being discussed and bite your tongue once in a while?

08-08-2013, 04:14 AM	#122 (permalink)
Mojo Melancholia Eternally Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 5,018	I haven't read through this entire thread, only about half of it, so forgive me if I'm slightly off pace. It's a lot to take in. I'd have to go all the way back to the first couple of pages and Pedestrians posts to find one I completely, 100% agree with. The way I see it is this: The Lounge and the supposed problems it creates. There are even people here saying that people shouldn't post in The Lounge so much. What gives anyone the right to say that, when it is there to be used? It's quite simple really, if you don't want to read whats being posted in The Lounge, just don't use it. It should be policed, it will create more provocative discussion than the music forums by the very nature of it, but nobody is forcing you to use it. The way I see it is that the only people who do have to visit it and read it are the mods, because they need to police it. I have and I'm sure I will find something there to annoy me, but as a regular member it's so much easier to deal with the minority of posts in there that grind my gears - I just click out of that thread and move on to another one. I don't think theres a question and answer system to fix anything here. I don't think it's a case of anyone going "Ok, this is what I don't like about MB - fix it" and closing down sub-forums etc to achieve a better, more positive, healthier forum. I don't think we can do that. I think to even attempt to achieve that (and who knows, maybe it just isnt possible) what would be required is a complete overhaul - and not in content, but in attitude. I don't think we are a very welcoming forum. I think some new members will feel welcomed which is great, that means they got through. I'd bet that more don't get through, cause either they directly have an interaction with someone that puts them off, or they observe what happens here and decide they don't like it. Or they just don't think theres much of anything happening here at all and that we aren't a healthy enough forum to warrant their time. To change that I think there are many members who need to recognise their part within that. Who need to recognise that the attitude they take onto the forums could be better, they could be more tolerant, they could treat people with more respect, and they make people feel more welcome. Posting in intro threads isn't enough (but certainly shouldn't be discouraged!) but a unanimous effort, I feel, would need to be made to start to take steps in the right direction to making this forum look a much more welcoming, warm, healthy place to any user who signs up with even a slight consideration given to staying here. If that were achievable, you may just find the forum would become more prosperous, because it would be much more enjoyable to be here rather than feel like so much of a chore at times. For example this week has felt a huge chore for me, and so I haven't been here much. Only this morning did I remember that DJ has sent his album for Mystery Album Club out - a thread that, if people make use it, can only help to create music discussion and bring the community together in an activity to do together - and I've forgotten all about it. Out of sight, out of mind. Both recognising where their attitude could improve and attempting to improve it, is applicable to everyone. Regular users and moderators. After all, the way I see it, the way in which a forum is moderated does effect the overall attitude and tone of the forum. I'm not saying we should all be kissy face with each other and false, plastic versions of our true selves but I tend to try to think of that new visitor to the site who takes a look around, consider what they might just see, depending on what threads they click into, and am never surprised if that person doesn't come back. __________________ Last.FM \| Echoes and Dust Last edited by Mojo; 08-08-2013 at 05:18 AM.

08-08-2013, 05:24 AM	#126 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	misspoptart, 216, sopsych, ninetales and Paul smeenus are all new members who have posted in this thread yet low and behold, their posts tend to get left by the wayside for comments on veteran member posts, so it's a catch-22... __________________

08-08-2013, 05:47 AM	#130 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	I really don't think this is an appropriate thread for labelling individual members as trolls, sock puppets, or whatever, when the whole point of it in the first place was to discuss ways of getting away from that. Would it really hurt to judge the tone of the matter being discussed and bite your tongue once in a while? __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.