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Post by fAB on Jan 1, 2006 20:39:31 GMT -5
I said that a few months back in a thread about how much this place as changed. In a way, it kind of equals what's been going through my head since Feldinaut left: This place can never be what it was, so let's look at what it can be. I'd like to give this place a new feel, so I have some changes to propose, and I hope most of you will agree that they would benefit this place. If you don't agree though, don't hesitate to speak your mind. 1. Changing the Forums' StyleThis is a given, as the forums will have to change to match the look of the new Legends Station. A style change can do a lot to help wash away sad memories and bad vibes, so for my own sake I want to make this a high priority, once the new site style is officially embraced. For those who would prefer to use the V3 style for whatever reason, Proboards allows for the setup of different styles. Once the V4 style is in place as the default, I will also reapply the V3 style as an option, as well as V2. 2. Remove Post CountEveryone's post count would be set to 0, and posts would not count anywhere in the forums. I expect there might be some opposition to this, but hear me out. In the beginning this meant something, as it indicated something of a member's activity level and eventually earned them a custom title. These days there are so many threads to post in, and so many more members to converse with, that post counts can fly up in no time. Pitch and JMC47 (the two highest posters) have both stated that they don't care about their counts, so why should anyone? By removing them, it would serve to make everyone feel more equal, and take away the temptation for newbies to SPAM in order to feel important. 3. Rule SimplificationSetting aside the jerks who think we're too strict, a lot of good people take a look at the Rules & Guidlines thread and nearly pass out at the length. Much of it is just friendly suggestions, but more than anything it's very thorough. The staff used to have a heck of a time dealing with all the troublemakers who seemed to be pouring in, thus it became necessary to do things that way. These days the place has established itself, and except for the occasional disaster, things go pretty smoothly. I'd like to streamline and simplify the rules, to be more tolerant and less intimidating. 4. Staff ExpansionFor the simplification of the rules to succeed, I think the staff setup and rule enforcement procedures should be restructured. There are some changes I would/will need to discuss with the present staff, but basically I'd like to up Dashe and Pharaoh's abilities, and bring in a cluster of "Mini-Mods" who would be just like regular members but have the simplest of abilities at their disposal for janitorial purposes. Instead of the staff worrying so much about everything, we could just focus on any big problems, and let the more minor stuff go by without fuss since there'd be Mini-Mods all over the place quietly cleaning up double posts, moving misplaced threads, etc. Your comments please! Oh, and of course, be sure to give your input in the separate thread setup for the site. mmls.proboards7.com/index.cgi?board=comments&action=display&n=1&thread=377
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Post by Santa Melty on Jan 1, 2006 22:19:55 GMT -5
Comments? I can do that. I don’t see how anyone can complain about the style, seeing as how they’ll be able to apply the older styles at will... Removing the post count is an interesting proposal. However, I agree entirely. But not because of how simple it is to raise one’s post count... It just seems that the post count has never really been used for anything aside from earning a custom title, and I’ve found that it is quite often a bad indicator of activeness. Besides, it’s not like we need a number to tell us that Pitch is here more then us. But on the note of custom titles... the current rule is that we must reach a count of 400 before earning a title, yes? How will this be done, if at all, without the post count? Or will we need to find alternative methods to get our own title, perhaps in contests? I know the caption contest also gives out titles to anyone who reaches 10 points, but will that be all? Not that it essentially matters, but I’m curious. Rule simplification... that hasn’t been done yet? Well, it should be done. I know that I was here for over half a year before I decided it might be a neat idea to skim over the rules, and I’m sure that new members would appreciate it. Still, I believe I’ve said it somewhere else, but the rules are mostly common sense. Double posting is useless with no post count and a modify button on standby, and 1-word posts might be fine on chatboards, but it only seems natural that posts on forums should be a bit lengthier. Very simple stuff. Most people here would probably do it even if there weren’t any rules and they weren’t already brainwashed into following them. Anyway, even if the rules lose that shining precision they have now, I’d think most could take a hint from the other posters should they still be unclear on something. Just taking a glance at any established thread here should give people an idea of what the moderators expect in a post. Staff expansions... I’m not sure how necessary that is myself... Simplified rules or not, I think that, if anything, we can expect a reduction in rule violations come the zilchified post counts. In fact, the simplified rules might even augment that further, seeing as how more new members will probably end up reading them. But I’m sure you have a better grip on the situation then I, and it can't hurt to have a larger patrol. I’m not questioning the decision... Tis just a thought. That’s is all. Overall, all of the changes seem to be for the better, and the effort to improve things is praiseworthy. Good luck on your mission. *salutes*
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Post by Edwardo Rocket on Jan 1, 2006 22:44:33 GMT -5
I have only the opposition towards the no-post-count. If that happened, more n00bs would flood this place than Ethiopians chasing donuts rolling down hills. post counts are there exactly like you said, to keep track of activity level. But they also serve to keep track of people's posts. That way you'd be able to find which member did what if a problem came up.
MY main suggestion is to switch from ProBoards to an Invisionfree board. It's much simpler to use, yet has more features. It's also easy to skin, so you'd be able to make a matching skin for MMLS for the forums.
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Post by pitch on Jan 2, 2006 0:08:13 GMT -5
FH, even if the posts don't count up you can track them down. Notice how you can search someones posts and find posts in the Forum Games/Mumbo Jumbo.
fab, it's a great idea, nulling post count, but... is it entirely necessary? I could care less what my number is, but it's phun to look at every now and then. Custom Titles are phun too, but I shpose those could be given on other bases no? Either way, it's a fine idea(I dunno if I see the point though).
Rule Simplification, OMG yes!!! Ya know, I still haven't read the whole thing yet. Rules are nice, but no one's gunna read 'em if they're so long. I'm just happy I haven't spammed too much on accident on my climb to 1000. From what I've read they're good rules though, just condense them!
And as far as strictness goes, with the things I've gotten away with let me tell you that they're not strict. Anyone who says otherwise can... nevermind.
Curse you, fab! My plan was to be gone for a while, but there is no way you can keep me away from the site now! I'm too psyched!
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Post by Chiz on Jan 2, 2006 1:08:48 GMT -5
1) Forums Style/Skinning I agree with Armored FH. We should move to IPB or some PHP-friendly forums hosted by Legends Station, possibly under forums.legends-station.com. IPB has sooo many addons like Chatrooms and stuff! 2) Remove Post Count I believe removing/nulling our Post Counts would be a big mistake. If we did move to a different forum, I would hope that the post count would be carried over. I hear there are addons for IPB that let you buy virtual stuff like glowing name and weird effects with your post count. 3) Rule Simplification I've actually read through the whole rule thread...it is rather long. But that's not a bad thing! In fact, I'd further clarify some of the rules, making the thing longer. Perhaps put an interactive rules section on the new site? 4) Staff Expansion *tries to apply, but is rejected* Oh well. It's a good idea though, I mean, Feldi left, Blyka is very inactive, Pharaoh seems kinda distant after Feldi left, and from what I see, fab and Dashe are overworked! FG runs the RP and JMC runs the MMLEx subsubboards, but there're other subboards that go unmoderated. I'd love to see a team of a dozen (ok ok, half-a-dozen) 'mini-mods' as fab called 'em going around and sweeping up any slip-ups. I might not post much, but, uh, I am here a lot, so don't count me out *coughs* if, uh, you know... Hey! Why does mltmlt.legends-station.com work? [/joke]
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Post by Dashe on Jan 2, 2006 19:57:56 GMT -5
Okay, time for feedback!!!
1) IMO this place is definitely in need of a makeover. Maybe some more of that three-dimensional-looking stuff from the v4 site layout is in order, hm? I'm not very familiar with the different kinds of forum-making...um...things (curse my technological ineptness!), but if MMLS switched forum hosters or whatever they're called, wouldn't all the posts get deleted? But a paint-job would definitely help with the whole "fresh start" concept, definitely. I'm for it.
2) Now this I'm kinda confused about. At first I was like, "WHAAAAT?! I WORKED FOR 2 YEARS TO GET MY 600-WHATEVER-IT-IS POSTS AND NOW IT'S ALL FOR NOTHING?", then I came around to thinking, "hmm, maybe if post count didn't matter, a custom title could become a prize for all sorts of things, which might pave the way for contests and junk..." Personally I'm still undecided here, and will have to take the time to think it over before voicing an opinion.
3) If they were simplified, more people would probably read them. And that never hurt anyone, now did it?
4) Staff expansion? Are you out of your mind? Why on earth would we want anything like that? ...just kidding! ^-^ Having mini-mods would definitely help, as it seems like all I ever do around here is mop up double-posts like some kind of janitor. It would also make it a lot easier when a bunch of staff members go on vacation and whatnot.
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Post by pitch on Jan 2, 2006 20:17:13 GMT -5
I'm shocked at how people think this place needs visual overhaul. Without a doubt this layout is one of if not the best forum layout I've ever seen.
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Post by Aim on Jan 2, 2006 20:18:47 GMT -5
Well, I don't have much to say, but I can think of one thing; I don't think we need a staff expansion. This board is still, sadly, WAY smaller than the Interordi Message Board for all Megaman series. No offense intended, I'm just saying that it is far more active. However, through my near 3 year experience there, we've had few or no problems with the board having only 3 moderators (the creator of the board and two others), despite what some more irritable people might say. This board, from my experience, has really never seen any spam outbreaks which were serious enough to need more moderators. I'd more so just seek to discover if there are any current moderators who no longer attend the board or do not wish to hold their position any longer, they might be replaced. I'm just saying, there's pretty much no spam at all here to be contended with... I read all the rules and guidelines. /further up-sucking Besides that... hrmmm.... I can't think of anything. I wouldn't mind losing the post count so long as there was still a method of getting custom titles. Other than the caption contest. Unless honorable mentions start counting.
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Darfox8
Poh
Still Thinks He's Winning the Civil War
Posts: 424
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Post by Darfox8 on Jan 2, 2006 20:21:34 GMT -5
V4 looks good and I wouldn't mind the Forums to lokk similar.
I almost have 200 post but I just found that out becuase I looked at my post count for the first time in months so I don't care about Post counts. It's a nice badge of persistence but not anything else.
Yes. Simplify the rule. The first time I came in I was scared to death that I would break a Rule. And I actually did. I did a... TRIPLE POST!!!! Not as bad as it sounds because they where spaced out in like a months time. I just kept on updating news on a thread that I thought was intresting. Got a pretty stern PM about it too.
Sure. More people to clean stuff up is never a bad idea. Just don't hand the titles out like empty tin cans cause people get drunk with power(even if it;s not really much power).
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Post by Santa Melty on Jan 2, 2006 21:12:24 GMT -5
I'm surprised that people actually want to keep the post counts. It's not like it's something you work to get... it just accumulates over time. Nor was it a competition to see who could get the most posts. Of course, if what Chiz says is true and there are systems where you could actually buy thing with your post count, that might be interesting. And a chatboard would be a nice addition, although it would probably work better if we had more people. But as things stand, I still hold that clearing the post counts is a good idea, so long as none of the actual posts end up getting deleted. Now THAT I have a problem with. For people that are still interested in knowing what their post count is, perhaps we could create a system where maybe once every few months, the post count is activated, just to see who has how much? Or, if the admins have access to the amount, perhaps they could individually message people their post count on request? And a couple of specific replies. ... Where did that come from? o.o *doesn't get it* My thoughts exactly. Well, no offense, but... isn't that what the moderators are generally supposed to do? DOOOO EEEETT!!!
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Post by pitch on Jan 2, 2006 22:23:39 GMT -5
I forgot to add, I think minimods are a good idea. While we don't have a massive spam problem, they could probably make it so I wouldn't have to bs-mod all the time. >_< Plus, it'd take some of the weight off of poor Dashe. Go for it.
Oh yah, and darfox, I had that same problem. >_<
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Post by Dashe on Jan 3, 2006 15:27:33 GMT -5
if what Chiz says is true and there are systems where you could actually buy thing with your post count, that might be interesting. There's an idea! Using posts as currency! You can cash them in for all sorts of neat junk...what would you buy with them though? Custom sigs and avatars? Different background schemes? Titles, like they did in Fable (long live the piemaster!)? Oh, the possibilities!
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Post by pitch on Jan 3, 2006 15:56:38 GMT -5
Eeeeeh... Now, if you could buy things with Post Count, wouldn't that like encourage spam like crazy(which, I thought the idea of nulling it was to do the exact opposite)? At least, that's how it works over at Gaia. >_<
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Teisel Bonne
Cannam
Though i may not post much, rest assured im usually lurking around
Posts: 390
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Post by Teisel Bonne on Jan 3, 2006 16:03:42 GMT -5
a new forum would be nice, but im not bothered either way
new or old, its stil the best megaman legends site on the net
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Post by Dash on Jan 5, 2006 16:32:09 GMT -5
Hm, fab...looks like you got yourself some nice plans. I support ya with whatever you end up doing to the site. Though the ideas you've presented seem fine to me.
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