So I asked a question

[Libre]

I'm new to this forum, but I have plenty of experience with other forums, and I'm aware of the etiquette and the conventions. I know there is a SEARCH function, and how to use it.
But it seems to me that the MODS and some of the members are awfully stuffy about somebody raising a point or asking a question that has already been discussed.
SO WHAT?
Isn't this a discussion group? What's wrong with someone wanting to talk about something even if it's been talked about already?
Or, would you prefer a "knowledge base" kind of a site, where you go just to look something up?
I have not been chided for this, but often I see an interesting topic, and I click on it to read it, and I see reply posts that say things like:
YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE A SEARCH!!
BUT JUST TO HELP YOU OUT, HERE IS WHERE THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED TO DEATH!!!
Click
Click
Click

and so on.

So my comment is, loosen up, not everyone has read every thread, and even so, it's just fun to talk about this game and not just search for answers.

Now, so how do you win S10 with Pro Physics?
...just kidding.

 

[DGiant2000]

GTPlanet is great BECAUSE there isn't 2 million threads about the same thing, instead all the info you need (such as how to pass S10!) can be found in 1 thread and not scattered around several so you have to trawl through loads to find what you want. The mods do a very good and difficult job keeping this site clean. A knowledge baase is partly what it is I guess, where you can look stuff up, add to it if applicable or ask if there is something not already covered.

 

[bergauk]

GTPlanet is great BECAUSE there isn't 2 million threads about the same thing, instead all the info you need (such as how to pass S10!) can be found in 1 thread and not scattered around several so you have to trawl through loads to find what you want. The mods do a very good and difficult job keeping this site clean. A knowledge baase is partly what it is I guess, where you can look stuff up, add to it if applicable or ask if there is something not already covered.

What he's referring to is how theres always a pessimistic person with a tennis racket up their butt that sees a new thread and just shoots it down. Sometimes the thread actually has a legitimate reason to be made. But there are people on here that LOVE to self moderate, not naming names, but I understand exactly where they're coming from with this.

 

[buickgnx88]

Do you have any examples of threads that have a legitimate reason to be made which were shot down? The ones I see are either on something we know nothing about, or something that is entirely pointless (and there have usually been discussions on both already).

Examples of closed threads:
Racing car modifications!!!
Closed because there is a large ongoing thread about that very topic.
German Playstation Blog confirmed Fall '10
Closed because it's not an official release date.
Petition regarding Release Date
Closed because it's pointless.

See where I'm going with this? Why have many different threads discussing liveries, when one will suffice? Why does everyone think that posting up a "release date" they found somewhere bring news to the table, when it is only the developer that knows when it for sure will be released (most of the time, the information will have already been posted and if it's someone in the know, then they would have proof).

It gets real annoying seeing yet another thread complaining about lack of skidmarks or how long it has been since the last game! You can figure out the rest.

 

[bergauk]

Do you have any examples of threads that have a legitimate reason to be made which were shot down? The ones I see are either on something we know nothing about, or something that is entirely pointless (and there have usually been discussions on both already).

Examples of closed threads:
Racing car modifications!!!
Closed because there is a large ongoing thread about that very topic.
German Playstation Blog confirmed Fall '10
Closed because it's not an official release date.
Petition regarding Release Date
Closed because it's pointless.

See where I'm going with this? Why have many different threads discussing liveries, when one will suffice? Why does everyone think that posting up a "release date" they found somewhere bring news to the table, when it is only the developer that knows when it for sure will be released (most of the time, the information will have already been posted and if it's someone in the know, then they would have proof).

It gets real annoying seeing yet another thread complaining about lack of skidmarks or how long it has been since the last game! You can figure out the rest.

I can't think of any off the top of my head, but I know that there have been a few legitimate ones that have been shot down by people before, it usually happens in the GT5 section.

 

[Scaff]

I'm new to this forum, but I have plenty of experience with other forums, and I'm aware of the etiquette and the conventions. I know there is a SEARCH function, and how to use it.
But it seems to me that the MODS and some of the members are awfully stuffy about somebody raising a point or asking a question that has already been discussed.

Welcome to GT Planet and before I reply to your question in detail I would just point out one thing that is rather important to understanding the nature of my full reply.

While I an sure you are aware of the etiquette and conventions of the web, I am also sure that you are aware that they vary from site to site. In addition the standards that operate on forums vary to a huge degree, many are very loose with almost no 'rules' to speak off, here at GT Planet we fall very firmly on the opposite side of that. The AUP is clearly defined and enforced, which we believe results in a site with a very high standard of posting and membership.

SO WHAT?
Isn't this a discussion group? What's wrong with someone wanting to talk about something even if it's been talked about already?
Or, would you prefer a "knowledge base" kind of a site, where you go just to look something up?

It is a discussion group and we have no problem at all with someone wanting to talk about any subject, even if it has already been discussed. However we do require that an existing thread is used if the topic is already in discussion. It stops duplication of information and makes it significantly easier for everyone when it comes to finding information and joining a discussion.

I have not been chided for this, but often I see an interesting topic, and I click on it to read it, and I see reply posts that say things like:
YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE A SEARCH!!
BUT JUST TO HELP YOU OUT, HERE IS WHERE THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED TO DEATH!!!
Click
Click
Click

and so on.

If anyone posts in full CAPS LOCK and takes that tone with any member I can promise you that the staff will be having a word with them regarding attitude and behavior.

However if a topic is already in discussion then I see no problem (and it is the norm here at GT Planet) in point that out and then providing a link to the currently active thread. On many occasions the staff will then merge the two threads together to ensure that no ones contributions are lost.

I would also point out (as a staff member) that should someone make this claim about a thread, and it is not the case (i.e. it is a valid, new subject for discussion), then I have point out as much and ensured the thread stays open. Moderation works both ways in this case.

So my comment is, loosen up, not everyone has read every thread, and even so, it's just fun to talk about this game and not just search for answers.

Now, so how do you win S10 with Pro Physics?
...just kidding.

While we fully welcome your comment and opinion I can assure you that GT Planet will continue to run exactly as it is, the current way works very, very well. We do not need every member starting a new thread simple because they 'think' a topic has not been discussed before (you honestly have no idea how many duplicate threads we have had on some subjects - Not being able to open certain events in GT4 must have hit over 100 threads alone - I kid not), the forums would quickly look a mess.

If someone does duplicate an existing discussion, as long as it is done politely and a link to the current thread is provided I see no problem with this being pointed out. The staff will then either lock the thread, merge it or point out that the subject is indeed valid and keep the thread open.

I understand fully if you do not agree with the view, however I would respectfully point out that we are not going to change we run the site to accommodate a single view. Rather we will continue to run with what we know works for the vast majority of members and ensure that discussions are easy to locate and found in a single place.



Regards

Scaff

 

[Duke]

I would also like to take this opportunity to stress that the staff does NOT disapprove of starting new threads in general. We just support keeping the discussion on a given specific topic together in a tidy place, so (as mentioned above) that real contributions are not buried in a lot of retreaded ground. Huge, general-topic "omnibus" threads can be difficult to glean through for good information, so we are happy to see new threads created on specific topics that haven't been covered before.

 

[Coxis]

Libre, I think this is a great example. Take a look at this subforum:

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=165

This is the subforum for GT4's driving missions, which are one of the most challenging parts of this game. Take a look at the topic for the infamous mission # 34 and its more than 1100 replies (five years after the game was released). The game has 34 missions and there is a single topic for each of them, yet this subforum is only "two pages" long. Imagine if everytime someone had a question or needed help with mission # 34 they would create a new topic and the mods wouldn't close it/delete it... It would be a mess! There would be mission # 34 topics scathered all around and the overall tidyness of the forums we enjoy would be gone. Think about it.

 

[Libre]

Yes, nobody needs 1000 threads about the same topic. I understand that it is difficult to keep a forum organized, and people need to do some homework before starting a new thread.
I'm just pointing out - here in the feedback section - that quite often I click on an interesting thread only to find that it's been moved or closed, or otherwise discouraged, and I don't have the time or inclination to hunt it down or to try to find whatever else preceeded it on the same or similar subject.
In general this is a great forum - well moderated and organized - and you are doing a fine job so keep it up. And, I'll be sure to fully research whatever topic or opinion I might want to discuss before posting, to make sure that what I want to say is truly valuable and original.
Thank you
mf