Moderator Approval of Threads: Do you want it back?

[DuckRacer]

1. If you ask to me a mod, you will usually never be one.

2. Does a semi-mod even exist?

 

[the_undrtaker89]

1. If you ask to me a mod, you will usually never be one.

2. Does a semi-mod even exist?

No, I thought that if they wanted to revive the mod approved thread idea that maybe if the work was too much that they could issue like thread checkers.(semi mods) iunno whatever.

 

[ferrari_chris]

I don't think we need moderator approval (and voted accordingly) but I came up with a solution - don't let New Members start threads.

You shouldn't be allowed to start a new thread unless you already have 50 or 100 posts. By this time, the user should have some idea of how the forum works. It seems that 90% of the useless threads that are getting started are started by New Members, I think these people only sign up to start a thread, get an answer and then never come back - is that what Jordan or this forum and its members want? There is already a reward system in place for loyalty, and thread starting can be another reward, just like avatars, titles etc.

If moderator approval is bought back in, I think it would need to be very quick. I wasn't here when it was up and running, but I think if you submit your thread, you'd want to see it added to the list within five or so minutes. You don't want to have to wait a whole day, or even 1/2 a day because the moderators are snowed under with other important business...

Just my opinions, do you agree or disagree?

 

[amp88]

I don't think we need moderator approval (and voted accordingly) but I came up with a solution - don't let New Members start threads.

You shouldn't be allowed to start a new thread unless you already have 50 or 100 posts. By this time, the user should have some idea of how the forum works. It seems that 90% of the useless threads that are getting started are started by New Members, I think these people only sign up to start a thread, get an answer and then never come back - is that what Jordan or this forum and its members want? There is already a reward system in place for loyalty, and thread starting can be another reward, just like avatars, titles etc.

If moderator approval is bought back in, I think it would need to be very quick. I wasn't here when it was up and running, but I think if you submit your thread, you'd want to see it added to the list within five or so minutes. You don't want to have to wait a whole day, or even 1/2 a day because the moderators are snowed under with other important business...

Just my opinions, do you agree or disagree?

If you tell a n00b that they need x posts before they can start a new thread, the vast majority are likely to just spam those x posts so they can post their thread.

I've not voted in this poll because I don't really have an opinion one way or the other on this matter.

 

[DuckRacer]

I don't think we need moderator approval (and voted accordingly) but I came up with a solution - don't let New Members start threads.

You shouldn't be allowed to start a new thread unless you already have 50 or 100 posts. By this time, the user should have some idea of how the forum works. It seems that 90% of the useless threads that are getting started are started by New Members, I think these people only sign up to start a thread, get an answer and then never come back - is that what Jordan or this forum and its members want? There is already a reward system in place for loyalty, and thread starting can be another reward, just like avatars, titles etc.

If moderator approval is bought back in, I think it would need to be very quick. I wasn't here when it was up and running, but I think if you submit your thread, you'd want to see it added to the list within five or so minutes. You don't want to have to wait a whole day, or even 1/2 a day because the moderators are snowed under with other important business...

Just my opinions, do you agree or disagree?

I say nay to not letting new members make threads.

Also, I think the write-ups forum should be renamed race reports. Many of the threads in that forum are just clutter.

I think with that, good moving/locking of threads by mods, and an email to the new member, the forum would be even better.

I'm just stating my opinion, and if there's anymore ideas out there, please post them.

Duck7892

 

[Swift]

Also, I think the write-ups forum should be renamed race reports. Many of the threads in that forum are just clutter.

Duck7892

I like that idea very much Duck, I'll see what we can do about that.

 

[Kent]

I voted yes and that actually goes against what I really would want to see...
Why?

Well, I don't want to make more work for moderators.

However, it has become obvious to me that we can no longer trust average members to actually "search" before they post.

I don't mean to be rude.
I am sure there are many members who search before they post a new thread.

However, there are just too many people posting new threads with "where do I win this car" and "help with this mission"...

It's rather boring to look over forums filled with threads like this when you're a moderator looking to have some fun discussions about your favorite game.
That's not mentioning how aggrevating it is to be a mod who has to deal with all these threads...

Close this, move that, warn him, search that...

Bottom line:
Bring back moderator approval of threads.

Btw, "more mods" doesn't mean more moderating, it just means more people with the power to ban you.

Plus, "more mods" is a way to try and clean up the mess, not stop the mess from happening.

 

[katana87]

Kent nice Avatar samurai champloo!
I think it would be better if it came back too many stupid threads have been opened.

IA

 

[DuckRacer]

Well, someone renamed the Write-ups forum. Good job to the person who did it. 👍

Duck7892

 

[Sharky.]

If somebody creates a thread that was brought up a few weeks ago, it's OK, and just because a thread is there does not mean that you need to reply to it.

Exactly. If the thread starter gets no response, maybe they'll use search instead, like they should've done.

And maybe, in the search first screen for making GT4 threads, you include examples of very common threads that are made, like:
My Ford GT brakes like stink
Where do I get this?
There's too many Skylines
etc.

Just my 5 cents. 👍

 

[AMG.]

Would I WANT it? Yes, but would I be willing to ask the mods to do all the extra work? No, they do enough already.

I’ve only been a member for a very short time and have to agree with this statement, I’ve spent countless hours on this site, yes, I read and search on this forum a helluva lot. Have found some really useful information, but also have had to wade through countless posts with one liners to find the info I was looking for. Searching for information on DFP, how to download replays to PC, which video cables are best, to name but a few.

I think the main challenge is that new members especially don't take the 10 seconds to read/search. So, it's more of a matter of laziness then intelligence.

Or is it because a hundred ‘one-liners’ allow you to upload your own avatar. It’s true that it’s “quicker/easier” to start a thread “how to beat DM2x” and sit back for responses than it is to use the search.
Perhaps a ‘stickie” and believe me it took me a while to figure out what that meant (being new to any kind of forum) for these kind of questions may be a (partial) solution.


Perhaps allowing the avatar straight away (or 10 posts or so) will keep the numerous amount of pointless of one-liners down. Ouch, did I bring up something I should not have mentioned.

I find that there is some excellent advice given by those who have obviously spent a lot of time playing GT and taken the effort to post it in GTP, but (I must say) it can be tedious to find.

I’ll give you an example:
I just entered “Mission 10” in search.
I get 75 pages. Post 36 is the first one that gives some idea of what to do with slipstreaming the Skylines. Post 41 is next.
Post 59 queries how to do the skylines, he obviously didn’t read previous posts.
Post 73, same skyline question again.
Post 80 Skylines again. Need I carry on.
Anyway, I’m not going to go through that again. Current total is 1499 posts.

In an ideal world (does it exist?) a few more stickies may be more helpful. I’ve seen Famine reply countless times where to find the videos, h*ll, I’ve even started to show people "the way” to these.

Perhaps it’s me but it took me a long time to find “advanced” posting techniques and have had to bookmark that because I couldn’t find it again.

I was so used to looking at the layout of the forum itself with it’s main headings that I didn’t see the very small “help” icon at the top right hand side of the screen (reading glasses needed ? ). I believed it to be junk advertising. I must have clicked slighty above that area as I was told by some “add” that my computer clock was out of sync and whether I wanted it to be updated. No!

now the mods are bad guys.

Definitely NOT true. Policing is needed but don’t ever think you’re the bad guy. If you start to believe that we will soon lose a moderator, and I for one don’t want that to happen! You’re doing some really good work here guys ! Keep it up is all I can say.

the satellite/child ones suffer

I haven't even had the time to get around to those to figure out what that’s all about.

I would dearly love to find out what’s in store for me in there, but again I’m scared of all the pointless posts I will have to work my way through to find the useful information.

Enough grumbling from me .

In my very first thread-post I said I’d try not to post one-liners. I’ll try to stick to that unless the one-liner actually contains proper information. Mea Culpa if I ‘break’ my own rule.
My 2 cents worth on this topic.

Signed,
AMG_SLK

 

[Swift]

Definitely NOT true. Policing is needed but don’t ever think you’re the bad guy. If you start to believe that we will soon lose a moderator, and I for one don’t want that to happen! You’re doing some really good work here guys ! Keep it up is all I can say.

Thanks. But you took my quote out of context. I was explaining how mods can be made to look like bad guys when we close the umpteen millionth "Is Porsche in GT4?" Thread. That's what I was talking about. I don't believe for one second we're the bad guys.

Again, thanks for the support. 👍

 

[the_undrtaker89]

Mod approval is too much work and it's not needed. If a nasty/Bad thread is found they can always just delete it, filtering it isn't needed really.

 

[Kent]

Stopping back in out of frustration.

I'm so sick of "this car vs that car" threads.
Also, sick of "Which of these is your favorite."

That's not to mention my favorite over the past 3 days...
The "Weekly Car Report" that comes twice a week!?

Maybe I'm a jerk who has been with the WRS too long but I feel like "weekly" anything should be thought through and executed by the most dedicated members of the forum.

(btw, Weekly Car Reports are a great idea- If done right)
(other wise a simple "this car's report" thread is best, which the dude did a good job of. 👍 )



Sorry, just had to get some of that stuff off my chest.
I've been so much more active in the GT4 section over the last week and guess what? My patience has worn thin.

People start too many new threads for me.

If I could do one thing as a moderator right now it would be create an official "car comparison" thread and then merge as many "versus" threads as possible.

I'd also sticky the mission hall thread and close the forum to all new threads without moderator approval!


Just my opinion.

 

[Jondot]

It's a difficult matter - do we want to have to go through the probably lengthy process everytime you make a new thread, or do you want the occasional useless thread popping up. Personally, i'd much prefer that we could make threads without mod approval. I don't mind seeing the occasional idiot posting something like "How do i get a custom avatar", because the mods do a great job of closing them soon after.

Just my opinion.

 

[Swift]

It's a difficult matter - do we want to have to go through the probably lengthy process everytime you make a new thread, or do you want the occasional useless thread popping up. Personally, i'd much prefer that we could make threads without mod approval. I don't mind seeing the occasional idiot posting something like "How do i get a custom avatar", because the mods do a great job of closing them soon after.

Just my opinion.

Thanks! But, occaisonal?

 

[AMG.]

It's a difficult matter - do we want to have to go through the probably lengthy process everytime you make a new thread, or do you want the occasional useless thread popping up. Personally, i'd much prefer that we could make threads without mod approval. I don't mind seeing the occasional idiot posting something like "How do i get a custom avatar", because the mods do a great job of closing them soon after.

Just my opinion.

Occasional, hmm perhaps you should have another look then...

Yes, it is a difficult choice to make and I have to admit in leaning towards keeping it open. What would be nice though if "closed' threads could be cleaned out and not just closed.

On a similar topic, I've taken it upon me (oh god what was I thinking) of going through the official mission hall ... thread to write down post numbers that actually have info. Not a lot has come up and I waded through the first 600 [edit] 700 posts.
Sofar I have found the following posts:

M10 534
M14 194
M18 595
M23 81 167 169 173 215 218 233 261 300 320 490 509 547
M29 139 140
M34 41 122 382 383 395 418 419 443 554 557 580 609 622 627 668 678 680


Now I'm not sure yet what to do with the info once I've compiled all the posts and read the last post in this thread. Posting it in the same thread would be wasted. Starting a new one will be frowned upon.
Faq section seems to be the most logical place.

Mods, any tips ?

 

[DuckRacer]

Occasional, hmm perhaps you should have another look then...

Yes, it is a difficult choice to make and I have to admit in leaning towards keeping it open. What would be nice though if "closed' threads could be cleaned out and not just closed.

On a similar topic, I've taken it upon me (oh god what was I thinking) of going through the official mission hall ... thread to write down post numbers that actually have info. Not a lot has come up and I waded through the first 600 [edit] 700 posts.
Sofar I have found the following posts:

M10 534
M14 194
M18 595
M23 81 167 169 173 215 218 233 261 300 320 490 509 547
M29 139 140
M34 41 122 382 383 395 418 419 443 554 557 580 609 622 627 668 678 680


Now I'm not sure yet what to do with the info once I've compiled all the posts and read the last post in this thread. Posting it in the same thread would be wasted. Starting a new one will be frowned upon.
Faq section seems to be the most logical place.

Mods, any tips ?

I think the mods should make a post that would list every single post that's helpful, almost like Scaff's brake thread. Like a link to Famine's/Daan's Mission Hall website, links to posts with good write-ups (like how to beat Mission 23, Mission 11, etc.), and other helpful stuff like that.

Just my opinion.

EDIT:
Take a look at this from TankSpanker's Drift Settings Depot:

Note: TankSpanker is going to take over ownership of this thread until further notice. The text in this message was initially begun by RX-7_FC_DrIfteR, and has been updated by others since then.

Is it possible for a mod to take over ownership of the Mission Hall thread, and thus organize it much more, and be much easier to browse?

Duck7892

 

[Scaff]

Well after this morning (European time) when a nasty little racist, homophobic scumbag started a thread specifically targeting abuse at me. This thread basically ran for a good hour or so before being removed and the offender banned.

Now mod approval of threads would not have stopped his initial posts, which were in existing threads. However it would have stopped the creation of the 'Scaff sucks' thread.

Guess it will not be to difficult to predict that my vote went with 'yes' on this poll.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Swift]

Well after this morning (European time) when a nasty little racist, homophobic scumbag started a thread specifically targeting abuse at me. This thread basically ran for a good hour or so before being removed and the offender banned.

Now mod approval of threads would not have stopped his initial posts, which were in existing threads. However it would have stopped the creation of the 'Scaff sucks' thread.

Guess it will not be to difficult to predict that my vote went with 'yes' on this poll.

Regards

Scaff

That was very uncool and sorry it too so long to get off. But to be honest. 1 hour is a fairly good response time. Considering it was done at the beginning of the business day in the US. But yes, I can certainly understand your concern.

 

[Scaff]

That was very uncool and sorry it too so long to get off. But to be honest. 1 hour is a fairly good response time. Considering it was done at the beginning of the business day in the US. But yes, I can certainly understand your concern.

Swift

Please don't get me wrong, I think that he mods here do an excellent job and fully understand the pressures of working on a forum as big and popular as this.

I simply put across my point of view to the two people invovled, reported them, added them to my ignore list and got on with things.

On the whole I believe that GTP is without a doubt one of the most professionally run sites I have ever been a member of. I just prefered how things ran with mod approval of threads thats all.

Keep up the good work and my thanks to all the mods/admins for the swift action you took this morning (my time )

Regards

Scaff

 

[Duke]

The thing is, Thread Approval would only have prevented them from posting new threads on the GT4 board. That leaves them 90-odd other boards on which they can create threads to their hearts' content.

When we had Thread Approval on the GT4 board (most active at the time) we could barely keep up. It would be totally impossible on a forum-wide basis, unfortunately.

 

[Kent]

Scaff,
Sorry you had that happen but boy-oh-boy and I behind you.

Regarding AMG_SLK's comments about the Mission Hall Thread.
As usual, I will step up and take responsibility for what I have done.
Wait! I'm proud of that.

I took the time to merge a bunch of those mission threads into one place.
Unfortunately, I did not take the "honor" of erasing dozens of worthless replies.
I can be one heck of a crtical guy.
My criticisms of the post quality on this forum are as harsh as anyone elses... With that in mind, I see far too much as worthless.
That's why it would be an "honor" for me to remove so much of it.

Thing is, I'm not here to be the thought police and so much of what I don't care must be tolerated (with-standing all existing rules of conduct ).

So...
This all really comes back to the members and not the mods.

You all get to create the content, we just manage it.

Also,
Having every mission thread in one spot makes it so you can search a thread instead of a forum.
(not that it makes a differece lol )

Regarding your content to post...
If it is not posted in the mission hall thread, please post it there.
When "one of us" gets the chance we will start taking over the thread like tank spanker did with the other.

I may have to help out with that.

Just remember, quality content depends on the member just as much as the mods.
(which, judging by your mission hall work you are well aware of that). 👍

Btw, regarding the real subject at hand...
My views on moderator approval are changing slowly... Freedom to create new threads works well in general.

However, efforts to encourage search work should be doubled.

Out of curiosity,
Do you all think having several sticky threads makes it harder to noticed what they are actually about?

Or do you think people in general are lazy?

I bet lazy!!!

 

[Scaff]

Scaff,
Sorry you had that happen but boy-oh-boy and I behind you.

Out of curiosity,
Do you all think having several sticky threads makes it harder to noticed what they are actually about?

Or do you think people in general are lazy?

I bet lazy!!!

Many thanks Kent.

On the subject of sticky threads, I personally find them a great help, but I am biased as I would never find the GT4 & Brakes thread witout it being a sticky.

BTW off topic, but you asked a few questions regarding gear settings in GT4, I have put up some info for you (and anyone else) here.

Regards

Scaff

BTW I just think a lot of new members are just overwhelmed by the size of the place to search with any acuracy and just post questions out of confusion, just a thought.

 

[AMG.]

Scaff,
Out of curiosity,
Do you all think having several sticky threads makes it harder to noticed what they are actually about? Or do you think people in general are lazy?
I bet lazy!!!

@ Kent. In my line of work I deal with hundreds of people from low to very very high ranks.
I basically answer questions they have with regards to HR. I make use of autoreplies, websites, FAQs, you name it. The info they're looking for can sometimes be a bit difficult to find but usually the answer to most of their questions is listed for them to find without too much trouble.

Do they bother? No, they'll whack of an email and let me do the hard work of providing the answer. At least I'm getting paid for that. So yeah, what I see at work I see here too. Create a new thread with a question and relax sit back for the answers to pour in.

A real life example: You (I) read the newspaper, no actually you (I) read the sections you find of interest, the rest you'll probably skim over, as in only read the captions. (have a think about this one). Same principle applies to GTP.

Now if the GT question is really new I actually like it because for me it will be a learning point too.

BTW I just think a lot of new members are just overwhelmed by the size of the place to search with any acuracy and just post questions out of confusion, just a thought.

@ Scaff Hmmm, yes I still share that overwhelmed thought.

Regarding AMG_SLK's comments about the Mission Hall Thread.
As usual, I will step up and take responsibility for what I have done.
If it is not posted in the mission hall thread, please post it there.
When "one of us" gets the chance we will start taking over the thread like tank spanker did with the other.

@ Kent, ok so I've posted my "search for Mission hints tips etc results" in the Mission hall thread.
See post 1534.
Enjoy.

[Edit] Poster 1535 likes it!!👍

AMG_SLK

 

[DuckRacer]

ok so I've posted my "search for Mission hints tips etc results" in the Mission hall thread.
See post 1534.
Enjoy.

AMG_SLK

Dude, all the mods will have to do is take over the thread and copy/paste your post at the beginning. It's posts like yours that really contribute to GTP. 👍 👍

 

[superfast]

Absolutely 👍

 

[DeLoreanBrown]

i started a thread in the rumbler a few weeks back & was surprised when it got automaticaly approved. i think the last time i attempted such a feat was at the outbreak of USB . . .

 

[Casio]

How about, a spelling and grammar test before you can post in GTP?

It may be a generalization, but usually in when a New Member creates a thread, it contains something like this:

"Yeh bros so whats u fav skyline in gt4 mine is the r34 it rokz!!! i am going to buy one when i am older".

Or more realistically, make a time limit for thread creating. A day or something would do. It might encourage them to search if they find they can't post the 3,000th 'How do I get X car' thread.

 

[DuckRacer]

I was going to post a thread in the GT4 forum, and the page that said "Are you looking for this" and "Look in the FAQs" was gone. That page should be brought back, and we should add the "need help GTWC" and the "Supercar championship" to them. As well as anything else. Because a n00b can start a thread saying "i cant beat the gtwc help me plz" without being reminded to search, or better yet, being provided with the existing thread.