Regarding Waffling/Off-topic replies/Dead Threads...

G

gisa

Routelayer Ordinaire...
Hi Everyone/Mods,


Lately, I've been noticing some disturbing trends in the forums. I've tried to ignore them for a while but instead of going away, they've become worse. Instead of continuing to do nothing, I've felt it's time to say something. I honestly feel that it's starting to get out of hand and it has gotten me so fed up that it has led me to post here:

1) I'm noticing that threads which are over a year old (and quite dead and buried) are being raised for no obvious reason whatsoever! I could site at least two examples but I don't want to raise names or point fingers. I have no problem with this if there is a new concern, or some new piece of information needs to be added, but I'm noticing some of these replies are pointless or outdated which is causing friction not only to those who are subscribed to the thread, but to those who started it as well. This *friction* is also happening with regards to my other observations (see below)

2) I'm also noticing needless replies, off-topic replies which have literally become spam. I could site here several examples as well but as I mentioned before I wont point fingers. A little bit of an off-topic reply here and there is okay but I'm seeing what appears to be full-fledged half-a-page conversations on some of these threads about something that there is nothing more to say much about, or about something completely unrelated. It is really annoying when a thread is bumped and I think *oh joy, some new news about something I'm really looking forward to!* but then I just see needless conversation...

3) I'm also noticing a lot of requests for content such as "xxxx that looks really gr8, can you tell me where to get that from? thanks" . I personally don't mind if someone wants to know where to get something, but sometimes the wording is rather rude, totally incoherent and distracting. I know that this is the internet but a lack of decent English, respect and manners makes any forums no fun. I really wish people would use PM's more...

What I want to ask everyone is, as I am a member of the forums and as you are all members of the forums, how do you feel about these things? Has anyone else noticed these things lately? Is there anything we can do to minimize these occurances? I'm not trying to pick a fight or cause trouble, but I want the forums to be a good solid place for us trainzers and I feel that this is being changed by the ignorant, thoughtless and rude actions of a few, most of which don't really know any better.

Personally, I'm going to try harder to stay on topic and use the PM more if possible but I hope there are some changes soon as I'm seeing several members losing patience rather quickly, including myself. I've been on these forums for over 2 years and I've never had to use my ignore list until recently. =( I would really rather not see it grow anymore...

Input is appreciated as always...

:wave:

Gisa ^^
 
1 & 2) Regarding bumping old threads, I personally don't mind if someone is POLITELY asking if there has been any progress, but if someone is just spamming it like "This is gonna be so cool when it's done!" or, "I have a beef with what you said six months ago!", then I mind it more than somewhat.

3) Regarding "O HAI WERE CAN I GET *xyz* LOL :cool:" posts, You might want to look at this thread here: Content creators do you encourage or discourage?
My personal feelings on the matter are that such posts should be used only if one is unable to contact the person by PM or email, and should, again, be tactfully worded so that they don't come out as rude.
 
1. I know what you mean, I saw one thread bumped up from November 2006 a few months ago, the question, that looks excellent where can I get it? when the creator said it was on the DLS

2. I just come across a thread , after reading does someone want our email adress for? Spam amongst worse things? Also he wants cdps emailed which unless the creator grants permission to do so, is infringment of copyright, espically if payware. Also it was off topic however I forgive that user.

3. I agree with you there aswell, I'm fed up with old posts being bumped saying wow m8 thats excellent where did u get it? If it was a PM with better wording, people might actually bother to reply. Also I have had one PM a year ago, it said
hey can you send me those el tracks your using in that picture as well as anything like that my email is (got rid of it). Number 1: What picture is that, Number 2 (the most important one) Its not allowed!

These posts do seem to have risen compared from 2006 and before, I've been a member since 2003 and have now only really started seeing these types of posts.
 
Last edited:
I'm Sorry

Look I'm really sorry about that thread. I was being ignorant. And I wanted to talk to some of the members on msn. I'm really sorry about it.

Now can we please forget about it? If you read the thread I have stated 2 times that I wanted it closed. There is no reason for pointing this fault out again. I thought we wern't pointing fingers. And one of them is pointed at me and that makes me feel worse about my posting problems.

Please forget about it.

Cheers, Cameron.
 
applegathc said:
Look I'm really sorry about that thread. I was being ignorant. And I wanted to talk to some of the members on msn. I'm really sorry about it.

Now can we please forget about it? If you read the thread I have stated 2 times that I wanted it closed. There is no reason for pointing this fault out again. I thought we wern't pointing fingers. And one of them is pointed at me and that makes me feel worse about my posting problems.

Please forget about it.

Cheers, Cameron.
Click to expand...

Don't worry and sorry about using your post. I have forgiven and I'll remove that link now. I was just demonstrating one of my points and don't worry I have seen a lot worse posts and on my PMs!
 
[grumpymode]The only thing annoys me more than the current pandemic of totally off-topic posts in otherwise noteworthy threads is the endlesssssss stream of "gee whiz I'm sorry" threads....[/grumpymode]
 
Just try to be helpful...not negative...

:cool: I got this link from PCMagazine today, about this very subject, written by John C. Dvorak

About bumping threads, it's not that bad, if you simply wish to watch the topic, as we have no "Watch This Topic" option.

Just don't ask questions like "when is it gonna be released..."

Think positive, not negative, be complimentary, not complaining...

There is a thread in the Trainz Community Forum, about How to use the Forums...
 
These threads (yes, I'm refering to this one) have become so common as to be considered waffle themselves.

I suppose if you just want to air your frustration it's fine, but if you really think your admonishments will convince others to be more responsible when they post then you are setting yourself up for endless disappointment.

As many years as I've been on these forums I've seen these posts come and go, and may have made one or two myself. The only thing that works is to ignore what you don't like, and leave the rest to the Mods...

In the meantime, just go with the flow and hang loose "brudder"...every little 'ting gonna be alright......;)
 
I can't stand one thing when someone demands that you release a content.......not saying any names.....Not asking kindly or what is the progress of this?
 
What preytell is this almighty cosmic force making people read posts they don't like or as an individual, personally don't approve of??

Ignore thread.....ignore user.....don't like the forums, then don't use it.....

Destiny be in YOUR hands.
 
Pffft, we don't need an Off-Topic forum for all this, nobody wants one anyway :o

Unless Zwabberaar is willing to personally moderate it, of course :hehe:
 
Thanks for all your input everyone. There are a lot of interesting viewpoints said here! =)

I do try to be a positive, supportive and easy going person but we all have our limits. I was a bit irrated (rightfully so I feel) to see something close to 8 posts in one thread in one day between two people. One was bombarding the other with constant questions about this and that and when it would be released and I could feel the friction and irritation in the other. It's things like that that make people stay away from the forums or even give up on making stuff altogether. I guess I just don't want people to get angry and upset or to say something back that will hurt someone else's feelings when a few simple guidelines and principles could help prevent these problems in the first place.

For the record, I always answer PM's to the best of my knowledge and at least 90% of the PM's I've sent out get a reply. =)

I do wish more would read the "how to use the threads* thread...I know I did when I first joined.

There are some suggestions on how to avoid some of the problems here, but unfortunately I still get topic reply notification emails from blocked users and if it's a thread I'm interested in, it's not a matter of simply ignoring it. I do like the forums a lot but as I said before, I just don't want to see people get frustrated or angry for no good reason when it could just as easily be prevented.

Thanks for your input all,

:wave:

Gisa ^^
 
Naw...so needed...

:cool: thanks for the thread gisa,

this is needed, from time to time, to get cell phone and chat users, to consider this Auran Forum Community, as important.
 
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