Changes to Rule Enforcement - Music Banter Music Banter

Go Back   Music Banter > Community Center > Announcements, Suggestions, & Feedback
Register Blogging Today's Posts
Welcome to Music Banter Forum! Make sure to register - it's free and very quick! You have to register before you can post and participate in our discussions with over 70,000 other registered members. After you create your free account, you will be able to customize many options, you will have the full access to over 1,100,000 posts.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-02-2015, 05:32 AM   #1 (permalink)
Born to be mild
 
Trollheart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: 404 Not Found
Posts: 26,996
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ki View Post
So since it seems that tore is gonna push this until it gets through, I'll just be active in my journal. I would hate to break any rules.
I'm with this guy. You won't see me around here much if this goes through. I think we're getting a rising number of people who are so dead set against this that they will actively remove themselves from the community if it is pushed through, and while yes, you could look on that as a sort of "protest vote", I think it speaks to the depth of feeling there is against this, and the kind of resistance that should indicate it will have serious repercussions in terms of longstanding members, for want of a better phrase, walking out en masse. That should not be seen as a threat, but a hard reality.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tore View Post




I could participate in off-topic discussion and try to derail the thread. I could try and make a mockery of my opponents, perhaps with witty sarcasm. I could purposely misunderstand my opponents arguments in an attempt to wear them down. I could exaggerate and misinterpret everything in the most awful way possible to make points seem worse than they are.

I can do all these things and more, but try to do none of them because I think this important topic deserves more respect than that and so generally do the people who are discussing it. I wish others would extend the same courtesy.

The reason I responded to you was because the thread was finally back on track when you made your post.
You seem to be forgetting that, while I may be here a lot, I am not always at my keyboard. If I come back a few hours (or a day; remember I'm in Ireland and some of these comments are posted on US time) and see relevant posts to me I WILL respond to them. That is NOT pulling the thread off-topic, that is merely reponding to a semi-topic already in process, whether it has run out or not. If I don't respond, don't I look ignorant and impolite, some of the very things you're trying to tackle?

Also, seriously? You couldn't take a simple joke about infractions? Even with a smiley? That's seen as a bad thing by you, not lightening the mood but being disrespectful? People of Music Banter, beware: this is how the future looks! This is what you have to look forward to.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Janszoon View Post
These look like the same implementation suggestions you've already made in this thread, and again, they're unrealistic. That's why I was asking you to provide realistic ones. The level of moderation and the amount if documentation you're proposing is an enormous amount of work for the mod team, more than we are capable of doing. Suggesting that we simply add ex-mods to the team doesn't make a whole lot of sense since they are by definition people who have actively decided that they don't want to be mods. Recruiting the large numbers of people needed from regular members is equally unrealistic because, based on the last time we needed a new mod, not nearly enough people are interested. Add to that the fact that most of the active members here don't seem to be behind your proposal and the pickings become very slim. You also assume that the owners of the site are likewise interested in throwing their time and energy behind this, which is very unlikely. As a former mod, you should be very well aware that owners historically have little interest in changes to the site.
Bolded: I would also hope, if this is forced through (which I pray to all Batty's Norse gods it is not) that new mods would NOT be recruited solely on the basis of their support of this proposal/system. Cos I think they might be, and that would be a mistake. A real police state would then be in effect. I can think of several people I would never want to be mods.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tore View Post
I suspect myself and at least two other ex-mods could be persuaded to come back. I think there are a couple of members that could also be right for the job and willing. That's 5 new mods that I personally think would be right for the job. I'm sorry if I don't mention names, but I could do so on PMs.

I'm sure there are more people who could do this other than the ones I've thought of as well. These would be coming on to help work on this specifically, so it would basically be part of their job description.

Furthermore, there should be a project leader whose job it is to implement this (basically get through the plan of action). This would be relatively demanding task, but I would be willing to take this on myself.

As for the admins, they have already warned us that MB is too anarchic in the past. Even if they wouldn't exactly help out with the dirty work, I generally expect them to support my suggestion.


With it up and running, we probably wouldn't be there in "real time" to prevent threads from becoming hijacked and so on. We can't keep an eye on the forums constantly. But even if we come to the fight / derailment / whatever some hours late, we can make sure there are consequences for these actions and that's the main thing.
Bolded: But would you come back if this system is defeated? Or are you only offering to come back to essentially run the new state? And let me ask you this: if the proposal is defeated, will you accept that or will you forever be making cryptic or not-so-veiled references to how things could have been if only your system had been implemented?
__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018
Trollheart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2015, 05:38 AM   #2 (permalink)
Zum Henker Defätist!!
 
The Batlord's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beating GNR at DDR and keying Axl's new car
Posts: 48,199
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart View Post
Bolded: I would also hope, if this is forced through (which I pray to all Batty's Norse gods it is not) that new mods would NOT be recruited solely on the basis of their support of this proposal/system. Cos I think they might be, and that would be a mistake. A real police state would then be in effect. I can think of several people I would never want to be mods.
I would also prefer my mods to be chosen based on their qualifications, rather than their "political" beliefs.

Meritocracy > cronyism
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by J.R.R. Tolkien
There is only one bright spot and that is the growing habit of disgruntled men of dynamiting factories and power-stations; I hope that, encouraged now as ‘patriotism’, may remain a habit! But it won’t do any good, if it is not universal.
The Batlord is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2015, 06:05 AM   #3 (permalink)
Juicious Maximus III
 
Guybrush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Scabb Island
Posts: 6,525
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart View Post
longstanding members, for want of a better phrase, walking out en masse. That should not be seen as a threat, but a hard reality.
Personally, I don't attribute much consideration to such threats. I find it immature to threaten a suggestion like this to silence and besides, it is just the last in a line of argument where the whole basis relies on extreme exaggeration of the harshness of the proposed system. Words and terms like police state, nazi state and witch hunt have been used. Noone wants this. It's not what I or anyone else who supports this are envisioning. The whole assumption that that's what this suggestion would lead to is wrong and fallacious.

My last proposition suggests more relaxed rules in the lounge. That would more or less mean that lounge discussions would be as they are today, but threads outside of the lounge will be protected from bickering and derailment (among other things). Did you consider this suggestion?

I think there are ways to make this work, but you need to take the discussion a little more serious. How would you make it work? What is your suggested compromise? That's what I would like to know. So how about you stop the threats, stop the cries and instead try to be a little constructive and perhaps even help find solutions?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart View Post
You seem to be forgetting that, while I may be here a lot, I am not always at my keyboard. If I come back a few hours (or a day; remember I'm in Ireland and some of these comments are posted on US time) and see relevant posts to me I WILL respond to them. That is NOT pulling the thread off-topic, that is merely reponding to a semi-topic already in process, whether it has run out or not. If I don't respond, don't I look ignorant and impolite, some of the very things you're trying to tackle?
If your post has nothing to do with the topic of the thread, it is off-topic. You were discussing Soulflower's character, not my suggestion.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart View Post
Bolded: I would also hope, if this is forced through (which I pray to all Batty's Norse gods it is not) that new mods would NOT be recruited solely on the basis of their support of this proposal/system. Cos I think they might be, and that would be a mistake. A real police state would then be in effect. I can think of several people I would never want to be mods.
If you need people for a job, you get people who can do that job.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart View Post
Bolded: But would you come back if this system is defeated? Or are you only offering to come back to essentially run the new state? And let me ask you this: if the proposal is defeated, will you accept that or will you forever be making cryptic or not-so-veiled references to how things could have been if only your system had been implemented?
I am generally a busy person and will be more so in the future, and so no - I am not particularly interested in running a "new state" here. I like Musicbanter, but I don't like the direction in which I think it's headed and would like to offer my help in changing the direction of the ship so to speak. When it's on the right track with a captain and a crew to get it there, I'd like to step off .. In other words become a normal member again and get on with the rest of my life.

edit :

To Yac, I agree
__________________
Something Completely Different

Last edited by Guybrush; 06-02-2015 at 06:12 AM.
Guybrush is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2015, 05:38 AM   #4 (permalink)
Oracle
 
RoxyRollah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Closer then you think.....
Posts: 4,365
Default

See, its not the thread, it's that we've taken it from being an ok idea, to you kinda sounding like I know Im right and **** everyones opinion that differs. You might actually have more people interested if you knew when to stop pushing. You can lead the horse to water. ...You can't make it drink.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by GuitarBizarre View Post
Roxy is unable to perpetrate violence. It always somehow turns into BDSM between two consenting adults.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frownland
I just want to say your tits are lovely.
Quote:
Originally Posted by grindy View Post
Roxy is the William S. Burroughs of our time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neapolitan View Post
I like Roxy, she's awesome and her taste in music far exceeds yours. Roxy is in the Major League bro, and you're like a sad clown in a two bit rodeo.
RoxyRollah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2015, 05:41 AM   #5 (permalink)
Zum Henker Defätist!!
 
The Batlord's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beating GNR at DDR and keying Axl's new car
Posts: 48,199
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RoxyRollah View Post
You can lead the horse to water... but if you try to **** him in the ass he'll probably just kick you.
I think this is appropriate.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by J.R.R. Tolkien
There is only one bright spot and that is the growing habit of disgruntled men of dynamiting factories and power-stations; I hope that, encouraged now as ‘patriotism’, may remain a habit! But it won’t do any good, if it is not universal.
The Batlord is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2015, 05:43 AM   #6 (permalink)
Oracle
 
RoxyRollah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Closer then you think.....
Posts: 4,365
Default

Its not just appropriate its fact.Buy a helmet.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by GuitarBizarre View Post
Roxy is unable to perpetrate violence. It always somehow turns into BDSM between two consenting adults.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frownland
I just want to say your tits are lovely.
Quote:
Originally Posted by grindy View Post
Roxy is the William S. Burroughs of our time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neapolitan View Post
I like Roxy, she's awesome and her taste in music far exceeds yours. Roxy is in the Major League bro, and you're like a sad clown in a two bit rodeo.
RoxyRollah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2015, 06:03 AM   #7 (permalink)
Yac
Super Moderator
 
Yac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: It's a secret too.
Posts: 1,363
Default

I took my time responding to this, but here's my take on rules and rules enforcement.
As some of you probably know, I'm a lot more active on city-data.com/forum than here, here I only visit to help the mods out if there is need and to(though I have to say they are a great bunch that can deal with anything thrown at them).
At city-data, rules enforcement is strict. Very strict even. Infractions are very common, many folks spend sometimes months restricted - even though to get that kind of punishment they had to really work for it, it is harsh.
Musicbanter is.. well, anarchy. Mods are a lot more relaxed and I think this style of moderation fits this forum very well, certainly better than my very strict approach.
Having said that though, as with everything the best solution lies somewhere in the middle. Imo MB cold use just a pinch of rules, not too much as it's an unique ecosystemso to say that would be completely ruined if the changes were too big.
I won't name any specific members, but the biggest problem is member ego. There's a certain kind of people that at a specific point, once they feel safe enough, start acting like they are better. Start acting like they can do whatever the f*ck they want because hey, they've been here a while, people recognize them, they're allowed. Often the results are comical or at least within the boundaries of the usual forum banter, but sometimes it becomes so bad it ruins the experience for everybody. And this isn't just a senior member issue, that specific point in time I mentioned depends on the person.
Then there is the fact that the sole source of revenue for this site are google ads - and they are by far not as invasive as they can be. In fact, registered members either see very few or don't see them at all.For the forum to work the way it does, without any banners, popups and all that crap, it needs to maintain some standards.
So here's my take on this: I don't think a slightly stricter approach to rules would hurt. It wouldn't muzzle the forum at all. In fact I'm sure many folks would find it refreshing that they can actually discuss some topics in detail without having to deal with "funny" comments from members that couldn't care less and only came into the thread to mock it. Rules need to be applied to everybody equally, regardless whether he or she has 3 or 3000 posts, regardless who they are friends with. Additionally repeated rules violations should be treated seriously. We're all humans, we all make mistakes. We all sometimes get carried away. But when someone is hijacking a thread with his drivel again and again... maybe he should enjoy a week away from the forum. If he or she won't listen to reason, only a stronger punishment can potentially convince him to start acting properly.
Having said all that, It's all up to the mods and the community. I am sure that a compromise can be reached that will satisfy all but the most fringe anarchists/authoritarians
Yac.
Yac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2015, 06:52 AM   #8 (permalink)
Juicious Maximus III
 
Guybrush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Scabb Island
Posts: 6,525
Default

I think it's ultimately up to the people in charge to decide whether they want this or not (MB is, ultimately, not a democracy), but the people in charge would probably benefit from knowing what the general members think

I can write up a poll thread.
__________________
Something Completely Different
Guybrush is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2015, 11:06 AM   #9 (permalink)
Facilitator
 
VEGANGELICA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Where people kill 30 million pigs per year
Posts: 2,014
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yac View Post
[...] So here's my take on this: I don't think a slightly stricter approach to rules would hurt. It wouldn't muzzle the forum at all. In fact I'm sure many folks would find it refreshing that they can actually discuss some topics in detail without having to deal with "funny" comments from members that couldn't care less and only came into the thread to mock it. Rules need to be applied to everybody equally, regardless whether he or she has 3 or 3000 posts, regardless who they are friends with. Additionally repeated rules violations should be treated seriously. We're all humans, we all make mistakes. We all sometimes get carried away. But when someone is hijacking a thread with his drivel again and again... maybe he should enjoy a week away from the forum. If he or she won't listen to reason, only a stronger punishment can potentially convince him to start acting properly. [...]

Yac.
Thank you, Yac, for offering your opinion that MB would benefit from a more consistent, slightly stricter approach to rule enforcement, one that would still allow people to enjoy off-topic banter and sharing honest opinions about each other, but would put a firmer limit on how much off-topic posting and bickering is allowed.

I feel that you, especially with your perspective as a super moderator, give very good reasons for changing rule enforcement at MB so that the limits are clearer and enforcement more consistent. I agree with you.

And thank you, Tore, and also a thank you to the moderators, for agreeing to create a poll so that we can vote on what we feel is best for MB after reading about and discussing the issue:

http://www.musicbanter.com/announcem...ml#post1597333

I agree with you, Tore, when you write: "The current and long-lasting state of affairs is driving people who want better behaved forums away from the site and so if the current environment is allowed to continue, support for this [proposed change in rule enforcement] would only dwindle in the future."
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neapolitan:
If a chicken was smart enough to be able to speak English and run in a geometric pattern, then I think it should be smart enough to dial 911 (999) before getting the axe, and scream to the operator, "Something must be done! Something must be done!"
VEGANGELICA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2015, 01:48 PM   #10 (permalink)
Account Disabled
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,304
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VEGANGELICA View Post
Thank you, Yac, for offering your opinion that MB would benefit from a more consistent, slightly stricter approach to rule enforcement, one that would still allow people to enjoy off-topic banter and sharing honest opinions about each other, but would put a firmer limit on how much off-topic posting and bickering is allowed.

I feel that you, especially with your perspective as a super moderator, give very good reasons for changing rule enforcement at MB so that the limits are clearer and enforcement more consistent. I agree with you.

And thank you, Tore, and also a thank you to the moderators, for agreeing to create a poll so that we can vote on what we feel is best for MB after reading about and discussing the issue:

http://www.musicbanter.com/announcem...ml#post1597333

I agree with you, Tore, when you write: "The current and long-lasting state of affairs is driving people who want better behaved forums away from the site and so if the current environment is allowed to continue, support for this [proposed change in rule enforcement] would only dwindle in the future."

I agree!

I also would like to thank Tore as well for all his efforts in trying to make the forum better for everyone and potential members.
Soulflower is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Similar Threads



© 2003-2025 Advameg, Inc.