ATTN! Potential Site Changes-PLEASE READ!

[Drakon]

More mods would mean more control and ability to head off spam as it starts in each of the forums, not just one or two.

Ideally, yes. But that's not always the case. With a site this big you've really got to watch yourself when it comes to moderation. You add too many at once, and you're gonna have people with sore feet, cause a lot of toes will be stepped on. That's why I keep worrying about my admin boost. The last time someone was boosted to admin was 2001, and that was Dew. I know that they wouldn't have given me admin without trusting me with the "keys", so to speak. But at the same time, I know I've got a lot of ideas and vision for the forums, [and even the site], and I don't want to step on any toes, what with me being the new guy and all.

 

[Mee]

Oops, just noticed I picked the wrong option for 2. I'm not against it.

 

[Warhammer]

Since the votes are so high, if and when do the changes happen, Drakon?

 

[xii22_loop]

i like want a avatar sooo bad. it feels good to have one, like people respect you more.

 

[Warhammer]

i like want a avatar sooo bad. it feels good to have one, like people respect you more.

And it feels like you have more 'self-esteem'.
I felt so good when I got mine.

 

[CConn]

I'm fine with the first option. Hell, since it's pointless for post count, maybe people will start even inventing more interesting time wasting games.

The second...I don't like so much. If there's one thing people (wrongly) put too much emphasis on after post count, it's join date. And to have rules that actually make it mean something...I don't like it. Not that it matters with the poll results being the way they are.

 

[Warhammer]

^Very nice avvy.

 

[CConn]

Danke.

 

[Drakon]

The second...I don't like so much. If there's one thing people (wrongly) put too much emphasis on after post count, it's join date. And to have rules that actually make it mean something...I don't like it. Not that it matters with the poll results being the way they are.

My biggest reason for that is to hopefully put people off from not caring about being banned. If you can't immediately get your stuff back, it makes you want to think twice before doing something that could get you in trouble.

 

[SouLeSS]

Well whose fault is it for you not joining? The fact that you didnt find the need to post until you joined is prime in this argument. WHy should you come here and automatically get sigs, avatars, custom titles. Because you lurked for 3 years? No, you dont. Someone joins, they post regularly, reach a certain post count, they get rewarded. Its not segregagtion, its a reward system. Since at the end of the day, we dont really need avatars or sigs.

Which is exactly why people spam. You seriously can't be that dense, can you? Maybe you don't visit any other forums than this. However, I do. In fact, I run / admin 4 sites and am a very top / highly regarded member of another 4 or 5 boards. I know how people in masses think when it comes to message boards. It's just like if this board was to institute a "Point" system to let you do different things like change your username's "font" (not font name, but everything else. B/I/U/Color/Glow that kinda stuff), changing your postbit (CUT / Join Date / Posts) color and such more people would just keep on with the spam, if not do more just to get enough points to do what they want.

It's simple understanding of human nature.

 

[CConn]

My biggest reason for that is to hopefully put people off from not caring about being banned. If you can't immediately get your stuff back, it makes you want to think twice before doing something that could get you in trouble.

What what if they already have alt names from 6 months back? Wouldn't that be the...loophole in the whole thing?

The way I see it is, there's so many people who get banned before they even get an avatar, there's so many people who get banned who don't care about having an avatar, and, once that spam forum is created, it'll be so hard to get 6,000 posts anyway, it's sorta unnecessary.

 

[War Lord]

I suspect that if you separated the spammy threads, the threads probably wouldn't get that much traffic because those threads' primary purpose is to bump up a Hypester's post count.

 

[imdaly]

Drak, I gotta say I love both ideas. I'm most excited about the idea of Option 2 coming into affect. I actually wished for something similar in a post of mine about a month ago:

Hell, who am I kidding...I'm never gonna reach 6k posts anyway...


Seriously, avvy size rules should be adjusted to something like this:

Small Avvy - 300 posts or 3 months registered
Medium Avvy - 1000 posts or 1 year registered
Large Avvy - 6000 posts or 3 years registered

and

I sure wish that anyone who's been here as long as I have could automatically get the largest size avvy as allowed automatically. At the rate I go, even though it feels like I'm CONSTANTLY posting, I wont hit 6k posts for another 3 years or so!


...come'on, mods...let an oldbie like me have the large avvy pleeeeeaseee??

I've wanted a large avvy since they were available here, not because I want a bigger picture, but because I want to be able to finish my picture. It'd actually be the same exact size as it is now. I just need the extra file-size space so that I can have my avvy count all the way down to zero, instead of 40-something like it does now. I could care less about my post-count or having a bigger picture next to my name.

I think the idea of adding a time-limit and lowering the post-count requirement is genious. I love the idea of rewarding the length of time a poster has been on these boars, rather than just how many times they can click "Post Reply".

Here I am, one of the "oldest" members of this board (by "oldest", I mean "longest registered"), and yet I've only just recently passed 4,000 posts. I spend just about all my time away from work and sleep on these boards (seriously), and it feels like I'm always posting, yet I see people who've been here for one month fly by me in post-count. That's just insane.

To apply a time-limit to "rewards" such as avvys and signatures, etc, would not only do a great deal of help to fight unnecessary spamming, but I think would also add to the forum something I think is sorely missing since the loss of the Superhero-related titles and such...a sense of history.

Perhaps I'm expecting too much from a message board. I mean it IS just a message board. But I just think that to see something applied that would kinda...I don't know...highlight those of us who have stuck with this board through the years would be very nice? I'm not trying to play down any of the great posters that haven't been here very long yet. I just think it'd be cool to reward people in some way or another for their loyalty and dedication to this forum.

 

[Drakon]

What what if they already have alt names from 6 months back? Wouldn't that be the...loophole in the whole thing?

No, unless that name also has 2500+ posts. It's a dual requirement, is what I'm proposing. I've got a name right now that I've had since early 2004, and he doesn't even have enough posts for a small avatar. So the only way they'd have more than one account that would qualify is if they honestly worked on both.

The way I see it is, there's so many people who get banned before they even get an avatar, there's so many people who get banned who don't care about having an avatar, and, once that spam forum is created, it'll be so hard to get 6,000 posts anyway, it's sorta unnecessary.

It won't really be that hard to get 6000 posts. There's plenty of topics worth talking about here, be it in Community, Games, Batman, Spidey, or even Fan Art. It would potentially have people brach out into different forums to look for coversations.

 

[CConn]

No, unless that name also has 2500+ posts. It's a dual requirement, is what I'm proposing. I've got a name right now that I've had since early 2004, and he doesn't even have enough posts for a small avatar. So the only way they'd have more than one account that would qualify is if they honestly worked on both.

So, effectively, the new rule wouldn't matter. If I got banned, it'd just be a race to 2500 posts because my alt account is over 6 months old.

I'm sure it would be a deterrent for some people... Well, I think you'd be the best judge of how much of a deterrent it would be, actually. How many people do, or the other mods ban that have a 100x100 avvy? Granted, I'm just poster - an outside observer - but to me it seems like the guys who get banned the most have, y'know, 200-some posts, and have been here a month - people the new rule wouldn't help with.

It won't really be that hard to get 6000 posts. There's plenty of topics worth talking about here, be it in Community, Games, Batman, Spidey, or even Fan Art. It would potentially have people brach out into different forums to look for coversations.

Which is why I'd sorta feel bad if a person who goes around and makes 6000 quality posts in 2, 3 months would have to wait even longer to get an avatar when, really, he/she deserves it.

 

[War Lord]

It won't really be that hard to get 6000 posts. There's plenty of topics worth talking about here, be it in Community, Games, Batman, Spidey, or even Fan Art. It would potentially have people brach out into different forums to look for coversations.

The vast majority of my posts, at least 90%, have been attained through hard work, not spammy threads, so it can be done.

 

[Drakon]

So, effectively, the new rule wouldn't matter. If I got banned, it'd just be a race to 2500 posts because my alt account is over 6 months old.

If you want to put it like that, then yes. But how many banned people/troublemakers really have more than maybe two accounts? And if it's a real bad issue, say, someone posted beastiality all over the forum, then what's to stop us from banning their known names? Besides, for the most part, if you're banned, you're not really supposed to come back--that's what banning is about. I know we're pretty leinent with that, but the general idea can still hold merit.

I'm sure it would be a deterrent for some people... Well, I think you'd be the best judge of how much of a deterrent it would be, actually. How many people do, or the other mods ban that have a 100x100 avvy? Granted, I'm just poster - an outside observer - but to me it seems like the guys who get banned the most have, y'know, 200-some posts, and have been here a month - people the new rule wouldn't help with.

Honestly, we don't ban too many people with big avvys. Part of the reason is because after all that work, for the most part, they generally want to watch their step, but there are too many who like to walk that fine line. You'd be suprised how many Level 6 users have had multiple probations and even more warnings.

Which is why I'd sorta feel bad if a person who goes around and makes 6000 quality posts in 2, 3 months would have to wait even longer to get an avatar when, really, he/she deserves it.

While I understand your concern, if they make 6000 quality posts, I'd think that by then they'd appreciate why the rule was in place. This isn't a punishment by any means, just, like you said above, a deterrent for spammers and, mostly, to make this site feel like a COMMUNITY again, not just a random group of posters, like it has for ages. And I think IMDALY said something that hit close, too, and I didn't even realize it. It would give this site a sense of history, which is something we lost a long time ago with the loss of special hero themed titles.

 

[CConn]

Honestly, we don't ban too many people with big avvys. Part of the reason is because after all that work, for the most part, they generally want to watch their step, but there are too many who like to walk that fine line. You'd be suprised how many Level 6 users have had multiple probations and even more warnings.

Honestly, I do believe it. Heck, my one probation even came when I was at Level 6, I think. But in any case, do you really this added penality will greatly decrease their chances of getting probation or being banned? If you honestly think so, then I'll trust your judgement.

While I understand your concern, if they make 6000 quality posts, I'd think that by then they'd appreciate why the rule was in place. This isn't a punishment by any means, just, like you said above, a deterrent for spammers and, mostly, to make this site feel like a COMMUNITY again, not just a random group of posters, like it has for ages. And I think IMDALY said something that hit close, too, and I didn't even realize it. It would give this site a sense of history, which is something we lost a long time ago with the loss of special hero themed titles.

Not to sound like a dick or anything, but why not just bring back the titles? The decision on Option 2 won't affect me one way or the other, so I'll stop giving you too much trouble about it, but...I sill sorta miss those titles.

 

[Drakon]

Honestly, I do believe it. Heck, my one probation even came when I was at Level 6, I think. But in any case, do you really this added penality will greatly decrease their chances of getting probation or being banned? If you honestly think so, then I'll trust your judgement.

Not that it will decrease their chances of getting probo or being banned, but think about this analogy. You know your state has greatly increased fines for not wearing your seatbelt. You never wear it normally. But with these extra fines, you don't really wanna risk it, especially since there's a copstop up ahead, and they're just looking to give out tickets to meet their quota.

I'm not saying we're going to be jerks about anything, just that hopefully it will encourage people to think "Is this appropriate?" before posting something.

Not to sound arrogant or anything, but why not just bring back the titles? The decision on Option 2 won't affect me one way or the other, so I'll stop giving you too much trouble about it, but...I sill sorta miss those titles.

You're not sounding arrogant. This is exactly why this is an open forum. We need to get these things out the way and such, you know?

That said, bringing back the titles would be a lot of work with this software now. It'd be something like 20 different usergroups. Honestly, I miss them too. I miss a lot of things from Classic SHH. Ever since we upgraded to vB3 this has been an entirely different site, and I miss what it used to be. But knowing what I know now, a full revivial, while possible, would be impractible. But I'm doing what I can. There IS a SHH Classic Skin almost ready to go live soon, and I've already installed the old smileys, plus a few new ones. It's not much, but it's a start.

 

[Green Lantern]

Drak notices and he'll make sure all concerns get to the higer ups.

Hon, you're in denial... Drak IS a higher up

While I understand your concern, if they make 6000 quality posts, I'd think that by then they'd appreciate why the rule was in place. This isn't a punishment by any means, just, like you said above, a deterrent for spammers and, mostly, to make this site feel like a COMMUNITY again, not just a random group of posters, like it has for ages. And I think IMDALY said something that hit close, too, and I didn't even realize it. It would give this site a sense of history, which is something we lost a long time ago with the loss of special hero themed titles.

Honestly, the last time I REALLY felt accepted in the community section was two summers ago...

 

[Edd Extraordinaire]

Hon, you're in denial... Drak IS a higher up


He/She deserves it more than a person who'd been here for 2+ years and has actively avoided spamming their life away in the lounge? Someone who's thrown 2000 quality posts to serious topics rather than, "Hey, hows it goin?" and "I'm good, and you?" in the lounge every ten seconds?


Honestly, the last time I REALLY felt accepted in the community section was two summers ago...

I accept you.

 

[CConn]

Not that it will decrease their chances of getting probo or being banned, but think about this analogy. You know your state has greatly increased fines for not wearing your seatbelt. You never wear it normally. But with these extra fines, you don't really wanna risk it, especially since there's a copstop up ahead, and they're just looking to give out tickets to meet their quota.

I'm not saying we're going to be jerks about anything, just that hopefully it will encourage people to think "Is this appropriate?" before posting something.

Oh yeah, I understand. My idea was that the fine isn't enough to do any damage. I mean, if I didn't wear a seatbelt, the fine went up from 100 bucks to 125, I really don't think I'd change my habits.

You're not sounding arrogant. This is exactly why this is an open forum. We need to get these things out the way and such, you know?

Yeah. I was just making sure. Sometimes it's hard to tell once you get into it.

That said, bringing back the titles would be a lot of work with this software now. It'd be something like 20 different usergroups. Honestly, I miss them too. I miss a lot of things from Classic SHH. Ever since we upgraded to vB3 this has been an entirely different site, and I miss what it used to be. But knowing what I know now, a full revivial, while possible, would be impractible. But I'm doing what I can. There IS a SHH Classic Skin almost ready to go live soon, and I've already installed the old smileys, plus a few new ones. It's not much, but it's a start.

And, as I've meaning to tell you, thanks for that.

 

[Red]

Interesting,its about time SHH clamped down on spam more.

Option 1 for me.

 

[Edd Extraordinaire]

I second that thank you, the old skin is going to rock.

 

[Drakon]

Oh yeah, I understand. My idea was that the fine isn't enough to do any damage. I mean, if I didn't wear a seatbelt, the fine went up from 100 bucks to 125, I really don't think I'd change my habits.

Well, in this case, it'd go from 7-30 days to 180 days. Overall, that's a pretty steep incline.

Yeah. I was just making sure. Sometimes it's hard to tell once you get into it.

Agreed. I tried IMing you to make sure you didn't think I was just discrediting your ideas because it's the thing to do. Admittedly, I'm for the ideas, because I think they will really help. I'm not so much trying to make you agree with me, moreso that I want you to see why I think they will help. Making you see my logic and why I made the decision I made is infinately more important than making you agree with my decision. Admin or not, it's better to teach a man to fish than feed him once.

And, as I've meaning to tell you, thanks for that.

Glad to oblige. And like I said, hopefully, my classic theme will be live soon.