What's A DM To Do? - too much traffic?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

killerdungeonmaster

Aug 01, 2008 17:10:00
The forum lead, wrecan, is stating that the DM Advice? area is getting too much traffic.

The problem is, I suppose, WotC (in their infinite and divine wisdom) has a set limit on how much traffic can be used before they decide to break apart an area.

Now, many issues that come up as a DM can be easily seen as "belonging" in another area.

DM has a problem with a ritual? you should post that in the ritual section.

DM has a problem with a skill? that should go in the skill area.

DM was wondering about a race, class or weapon? there are other areas for that.

Now, here is the reality.

Most DMs want advice about things from other DMs. A section purely for DMs is DM Advice? has been for years now. It is where DMs gather in one spot to discuss and share ideas on how to run their game - from ALL aspects: Rules; psychology; table manners; etc.

So, I am pleading with whomever I need to to loosen up a bit. Give the DMs a break and let us have our own little corner please.

Other people feel the same? or different? let's hear it.

WotC? Can you hear me? Will you answer?


*****
#2

gamer_zer0

Aug 01, 2008 17:48:06
How about the Dungeon Master Advice forum?
#3

killerdungeonmaster

Aug 01, 2008 17:51:18
How about the Dungeon Master Advice forum?

OOoops - That is the one I was referencing.

It is the one I have migrated to and my brain still has not updated.

I have been around too long, next thing you know I will say "Attack of Opportunity" instead of "Opportunity Attack."


*****
#4

wrecan

Aug 01, 2008 21:44:08
Here's the problem...

1) Forums display only 25 threads per page (not including stickied threads)
2) If a forum gets more than 50 active threads a day, new threads can get shunted to the third page. Most casual forumgoers rarely check the second page, so threads shunted to the third page will go unnoticed.
3) For this reason, forums that routinely get 50 active threads per day are slated for splitting. For example the Forgotten Realms forum recently got split into RealmsLore and Running the Realms.
4) I've been tracking the DM Advice traffic and we're hovering around 50 active threads per day.

When I first became Forum Lead I created a thread called [thread=1041820]Read This!!! Where Should I Post?[/thread]. That describes the editorial moderation to be used on the DM Advice Forum. In brief, the forum is a place to talk about Dungeon Mastering, not a place to talk about rules with Dungeon Masters.

When traffic is less than 40 active threads/day, I'm lenient and I let threads stay that otherwise might get transfered to other forums. But when traffic is high, as it has been the last week, I get a little more strict.

Usually, it's not a problem. The active thread count of the forum usually hovers in the 30's. I'm guessing the increased activity is a transient issue. I hope people will be understanding.
#5

ramses_iii

Aug 02, 2008 1:31:57
I would hope that our forum mods would cut us DMs a little slack here, especially in cases like the one in question where the OP isn't asking what the rules for a given ritual are but rather how to handle a situation of potential player abuse in his game.

This is the first I'm aware of a traffic limit on forums; in the case of the DM forum I would think that a higher rate of traffic would be expected anyway.
#6

hellmute

Aug 02, 2008 1:55:22
Here's the problem...

1) Forums display only 25 threads per page (not including stickied threads)

That is only because YOU personally do not change your settings, and the forums are coded for a maximum of 50 as though the page would take that much longer to load 100 items per, and people too lazy to keep scrolling down yet not lazy enough to click for a new page.

So the number of threads displayed per forum is NOT an issue you can act as though it were a control as the number is NOT forced but independent users have the option to change that. It is just they opt NOT to allow more threads to be displayed, so don't really have any right to complain when the "first page" is full and new replies occur on other pages because they neglected to change their personal settings to allow more to be displayed per page, or just chose for some strange reason to use the default setting of 25 per page.

25 of course being less than the total number of D&D forums displayed within that area and no one has complained about the number of forums displayed per page.

I get so tired of that after all these years hearing about only being X number of threads displayed per page when people refuse to change the setting and claim that default number to be a literal that everyone uses as no user will EVER change from the default settings.



I think the forums move quick because there are many questions DMs or Players may have about generic things. They may need to be expanded, but do NOT advise dumping them into other areas as people looking for help do not really need to here some discussion about other things, but like to have their questions answered about the situation that has arose for them in a place where people are suppose to answer those questions.

Splitting the DM and Player advice forums into categories may help cut down the "traffic" for those unwilling to change their own user settings, but you would have to figure out how to split those sections.

My advice should a split be needed would be:
Technical
Personal

DMs asking question relating to technical things about their game that is not really a rules question, but how other DMs handle something outside of RAW without trying to give a houserule.

Personal being those where there may be a problem with a player in the group that the DM does not know how to handle a problem player or does not understand how to accommodate a player that just has an odd request.

Of course for the Player Advice section it would be players needing technical advice about something presented from their DM, and personal advice about problems they may be having with their DM....
#7

killerdungeonmaster

Aug 02, 2008 2:04:33
My advice should a split be needed would be:
Technical
Personal

Great idea - just like back in the old forum when I was PenderGrass and Fixxxer was roaming the wilds with Killer Orange Cones.

That would be fine, but splitting it beyond that would just be too much to bear. Really, a company that is going to start cutting the throat of its staunchest supporters (the DMs) because there is too much interest in their product?

Who the heck is in charge of your internet marketing?


*****
#8

killerdungeonmaster

Aug 02, 2008 2:05:22
PS - Mine has been set to 50 since I knew I could do it.


*****
#9

hellmute

Aug 02, 2008 2:49:05
PS - Mine has been set to 50 since I knew I could do it.


*****

Makes a big difference doesn't it?

It it wasn't for the forms using POST method I would just inject the thread number using the GET method to show at least 100 threads per page.

Why pay for a wheel on a mouse and not ever have much to do with it....
#10

JohnLynch

Aug 02, 2008 6:28:18
I gotta agree with Hellmute here. When I want to talk about rituals or something with everyone, I go to the Controllers forum. When I want to hear about what other DMs think, I go to the DM Advice forum. When I want to hear what people think about Artificers, I go to the Controller forum (or whichever forum it is). When I want to ask for advice about Artificers and whether they're balanced, I go to the DM Advice forum.

I'd hate to see the above threads and others like them shunted away from the DM Advice forum.
#11

wrecan

Aug 02, 2008 7:07:27
That is only because YOU personally do not change your settings

No. My personal settings are irrelevant. It doesn't matter that I have it set to 50 (or 30 or 2). What matters is what level of activity will maximize the likelihood that people who tend to go to the DM Advice forum are likely to see all the threads posted to the forum on any given day.

We don't have the ability to cause DM Advice regulars to change their settings without changing everybody and it doesn't make sense to change everybody's settings just for one forum.

I have been observing the way traffic levels affect what threads end up getting ignored and even at 50 I've seen threads quickly get shunted to oblivion without responses, and that's not good for the community.

My advice should a split be needed would be:
Technical
Personal

This would be redundant with the Rules Q&A, which used to be the DM Rules Advice forum.

Of course for the Player Advice section it would be players needing technical advice about something presented from their DM, and personal advice about problems they may be having with their DM....

The players advice doesn't get enough traffic to warrant a thread. (In some ways, the Character Development forum is a Player Advice annex.)
#12

hellmute

Aug 02, 2008 8:47:58
No. My personal settings are irrelevant. It doesn't matter that I have it set to 50 (or 30 or 2). What matters is what level of activity will maximize the likelihood that people who tend to go to the DM Advice forum are likely to see all the threads posted to the forum on any given day.

And if the range of threads with new replies per day is only about 40 then you actively choose not to use the personal settings to allow them all to be displayed on a single page.

That is not the forums software fault or management fault, but every users fault who chooses NOT to change there settings to allow for more threads to be displayed on a single page.

Also the fact the stupid stickies appear on every page reducing the actual number of threads shown is another problem. The stickies should ONLY show on the first page so subsequent pages are NOT cluttered with them.

for sticky_count=0 to number_of_stickies
display stickies
first_page = threads_per_page - number_of_stickies
display first page

Then each new page starts with threads normally.

This is a failure of vBulletin and one of the reason I despise its stupidity.

In any event it is the users choice that they have been given and if they are unwilling to take the proper steps to make the most of each page displayed on the forums it is their fault and no reason to complain about the forums and act like it is WotC or any forums administrations fault for not making it better for them to read without having to click through pages.

Any user too lazy to set that setting in their user CP has no right to complain about not seeing enough threads on the first page, or there being too many pages.

If someone was dumb enough to allow only 5 threads per page, there is no excuse for them to complain that their are too many pages and whine that there needs to be more threads for their poor choice of forum viewing options.

Likewise for anyone leaving the default settings when there is an option for the very reason within MOST forums software to display a greater number of threads so that you can see the latest threads at a glance without flipping through pages.

I have heard this crap excuse for years with many a BBS and such and people need to get over themselves and learn to use the forums software and personal settings to their advantages rather than whine that they don't want to see 50 threads per page because they have to click on the next page, but are more than willing to click around through several forums.

Work smarter, not harder!
#13

wrecan

Aug 02, 2008 8:52:30
That is not the forums software fault or management fault, but every users fault

I can't control "every user". So any solution that involves changing the mindset of every person who might frequent the forum is not a helpful solution.

If we could do that, we'd just change people so everyone is always civil and helpful and then we wouldn't need a Code of Conduct!

Also the fact the stupid stickies appear on every page reducing the actual number of threads shown is another problem.

Stickies do not reduce the number of threads shown on a page.

Any user too lazy to set that setting in their user CP has no right to complain

The problem is not the user who doesn't see the thread. The problem is the user whose thread is not seen. Why should we punish him (or her) because everyone else won't adjust their settings?
#14

lord_karsus

Aug 02, 2008 11:38:25
-Remember, half of the people here don't know that they can change the background skin of the page. Not everyone is..."in the know" with the technical things like this.
#15

wrecan

Aug 02, 2008 12:09:09
Even if they were, they wouldn't necessarily change. 25 thread views work out just fine for almost every forum if you visit once a day. Not everyone is going to want to switch to 50 threads just to accommodate the folks on the DM Advice board.
#16

n647

Aug 02, 2008 16:17:22
-wrong topic-
#17

hellmute

Aug 02, 2008 22:20:27
I can't control "every user". So any solution that involves changing the mindset of every person who might frequent the forum is not a helpful solution.

If we could do that, we'd just change people so everyone is always civil and helpful and then we wouldn't need a Code of Conduct!


Stickies do not reduce the number of threads shown on a page.


The problem is not the user who doesn't see the thread. The problem is the user whose thread is not seen. Why should we punish him (or her) because everyone else won't adjust their settings?

The person whose thread is not seen has one bump within a 48 hour period under the CoC.

I guess that means just a spam post to say "bump".

Otherwise that thread could be "bumped" via adding more information depending on the thread by said user.

In regards to DM advice, the thread creator could as a question of someone to further explain a bit of advice given, and this will return the thread to the forefront.

Again, if some users are not searching beyond the first page, then they do not fully grasp the workings of forums and have no reason to complain.

If someone creates a thread that gets no replies, they maybe nobody has anythign to say about it.

My Money, Money, Money thread has got no recent replies, and I have no idea what page it is on, but thanks to links to it in some wiki and a few other threads here the views of the thread are still increasing.

I am not really that arrogant or vain to think everyone needs to read my thread or ideas anyway, and it happens that some don't.

If the CoC allowing only a single "bump" within 2 days time is the problem then that garbage needs to be changed. Just allow multiple posts per the same user as the forums do, and just make the violation be of such that a post with no real content (which is what a "bump" really is) after a day is a no-no.

Calling it a violation of the CoC is overboard, as bumping happens everywhere. Not doing it so often is called manners for forums.

This is also not something that WotC should be trying to teach people how to use forums. The users must learn themselves.

So If a viewer does not wish to check page 2 or 3, then it is their fault for not looking further into the forum for something. In regards to DM advice, you should probably not care how many pages dep you go to offer aid to another DM anyway.

If a thread creator is miffed because there thread has gone a few pages with no responses, then maybe the forum just got fast during peak usage hours, the advice being sought was presented at a time where not many could get enoguh time to answer and waiting is the best recourse so people can review the question and check their books, and their own games to offer decent advice. OR heaven forbid, not worry so much that your thread wasn't answered right away as you can rephrase the quesiton and post to the thread again asking the question in a different way in hopes to generate a response to it that will provide you with the information needed.

These things all come form experience with forums and something the users must learn over time of how to handle. Worrying about the "traffick" may only cause those people who DO know how to use forum to get frustrated with things being needlessly moved around and constant reorganization...but that should have been seen by now with how it has already happened with these very forums.

"If it ain't broke don't fix it."
#18

hellmute

Aug 02, 2008 22:29:13
-Remember, half of the people here don't know that they can change the background skin of the page. Not everyone is..."in the know" with the technical things like this.

Very True, but that is where competnet forum providers seek to present a better FAQ than the default one provided with the software.

WotC forums are another example of neglecting to do so, and with vBulletin and now PHPBB3 the levels of depth to the user CP are so much that maybe you should offer new users a place to ask questions about the forums software to get help on how to do things that are hidden within the forums unless you know where to look to find out how to use the indent BBCode to create a blockquote, how to make strikethrough text, or spoiler blocks.

As each forum may do this in a different way there is no real way to know how this specific forum does it unless EACH BBCode is listed in that seciton of the Forums operations FAQ, and every user can easily find said FAQ.

This time it is not only WotC miscommunicating and providing the correct information to aid users, but the forums code itself.

Thus the reason I have the autocarding thread subscribed to because that person has an exhuastive list of function to use the forums when dealing with MtG.

Maybe D&D also needs a "how to use the forums and where to find your settings section" along with the other things such as "how to be a responsible forums member" type threads.

That way you can TRY to offer help to those needing how to work the forums in a consolidated place and already have something set up for people to easily find or link to the thread when someone ask somewhere how to find out information on how to do anything on the forums.

Like those generous people that offer advice to DMs or players in the interest of helping make their D&D games work better, I am sure MANY people around here would be willing to offer forums help to people so their forums viewing experience is a better and easier one.

Yourself I know would give people aid in working around the forums, and I would hope other VCLs/FLs/FGs would do the same, since CS is only responsible for CoC violations rather than helping users, otherwise they too could offer aid to people trying to use the forums, but just can't figure out that one thing like changing there backgrounds or thread viewing options.

So far the best advice I have ever been able to give people about "how to use the forums" is check the autocarding thread.
#19

wrecan

Aug 03, 2008 17:31:08
The person whose thread is not seen has one bump within a 48 hour period under the CoC.

Training people to post bumps rather than giving up requires changing the behavior of the forumgoers, which is what I would consider an unhelpful suggestion.

if some users are not searching beyond the first page, then they do not fully grasp the workings of forums and have no reason to complain.

Blaming the forumgoers is neither productive nor what I would consider to be in the spirit of the community.

I am not really that arrogant or vain to think everyone needs to read my thread or ideas anyway, and it happens that some don't.

Good for you, but in practice people who don't get responses tend to quit. My goal is to reduce the number fo people who quit out of frustration. And I can't do that by trying to train them to change their behavior.
"If it ain't broke don't fix it."

Then stop trying to suggest I change how I've been doing things since becoming forum lead.
#20

hellmute

Aug 03, 2008 19:39:15
But you can get people to learn better how forums work differently that texting, IMs, and phone calls.

Also the fact that WotC forums aren't fan forums and have a larger population it just means that things will move quicker so they have to adapt to survive in this environment.

IF people are having problems because they are used to smaller forums and cannot adapt, then they are going to have problems here and other major forums no matter what is done to "help" them.

The users must use intelligence and understanding. Hell if someone asks a question and doesn't know how to find their thread then they need to learn touse the subscription feature so no matter what page their thread gets to they can find it quickly and then "bump" it to get more attention.

Don't forget that some people may just NOT want to respond to some threads, so no matter what a thread may NEVER get a response. No changing of the forums or splitting to make a thread more visible will alter that fact. These are complaints I have seen many times before and it all boils down to the same thing and the same solution. The users must adapt and alter themselves for each forum unless they can find a point that works for them for all forums.

Don't treat the users like chidlren, let them learn or help them learn how to use the forums to their advantage.
#21

wrecan

Aug 03, 2008 19:56:27
But you can get people to learn better how forums work differently that texting, IMs, and phone calls.

No, I can't. I can't hold seminars. I can't lecture people about using these forums. (Well, I can try, but I'd just drive people away, since most casual forumgoers don't appreciate being lectured too.)

I think we have different attitudes about how accommodating we need to be for the casual forumgoer. I don't think your suggestions fosters the sort of community that I would appreciate. I think implementing the suggestions you want would drive a lot of people away.

This is not a forum for people who are proficient in vbulletin. This is a forum for people interested in D&D and I'm not going to put any additional criteria to that.

Don't treat the users like chidlren.

I don't. I treat them like consumers and don't lecture to them or require them to take classes in internet usage to be here.
#22

ace_of_time

Aug 03, 2008 23:14:43
The average poster only looks at the first 25 threads or ones they have posted on before. Even if they or WotC changed everyones settings after about 25 most just skip back up to the top. Only the ones that are really trying to help people worry about anything after 25 unless their posted on thread has gone to the 2nd page. Most DM's post on the dm's side rather then the other forums because they know that they will get real answers from people who care and less rude and greenish type people who only care about being right or winning a discussion and less about if the point they make really helps people.
#23

hellmute

Aug 04, 2008 1:13:03
I don't. I treat them like consumers and don't lecture to them or require them to take classes in internet usage to be here.

Well you shouldn't you are not a representative of WotC in in form. You have no official say about WotC, nor are you selling anything to the forum users. They are not YOUR consumers. Isn't it a violation of the CoC to impersonate WotC personnel?
#24

killerdungeonmaster

Aug 04, 2008 3:11:26
Regardless of all this, as a DM I feel far more comfortable asking other DMs than I do asking the boards as a whole.

It seems to me that if I ask about the elven trait - Group Awareness - and it concerns an unclear rule that I am asking how other DMs are handling the situation, it is existing only on the whim of the "Forum Gods' Mercy."

So long as the traffic on the site does not reach 50, it can stay there.

But, as soon as traffic goes beyond this magical 50 threads, my question is at risk because I mentioned an elven trait.

A very stupid way to run a forum.

Shunting threads based on traffic. Complaining because of too much use.

Heck, even changing the DM areas to this less-than helpful shotgun approach is bordering on the sub-par IQ level of marketing. I now have to scan 3 times as many areas for relevant topics that interest a DM.

Limiting a DM's advice section to everything BUT rules is moronic. Period.

And until that changes, I say it just plain sucks.

I am still awaiting some sort of actual answer from the internet marketing department.


*****
#25

wrecan

Aug 04, 2008 5:48:56
Well you shouldn't you are not a representative of WotC in in form.

I can still treat people like consumers, which is to say, with respect and without asking them to jump through absurd hurdles in order to get answers to their questions.

Isn't it a violation of the CoC to impersonate WotC personnel?

Yes it is. But saying I treat forumgoers like consumers doesn't mean I claim for myself some sort of official status beyond what's in my sig.
#26

ORC_Nashira

Aug 04, 2008 5:59:33
Please let's stay on topic and avoid personal attacks against one another, folks!
#27

wrecan

Aug 04, 2008 6:18:37
It seems to me that if I ask about the elven trait - Group Awareness - and it concerns an unclear rule that I am asking how other DMs are handling the situation, it is existing only on the whim of the "Forum Gods' Mercy."

Your perceptions are inaccurate. If the DM Advice forum has excessive volume, then the worst that happens is your thread might get moved to the forum for general discussion of races. Under no scenario would it cease to "exist".

Complaining because of too much use.

I'm not complaining. I'm really glad the DM Advice forum is one of the more vibrant forums (and imo, no other forum is both so vibrant and so civil).

I now have to scan 3 times as many areas for relevant topics that interest a DM.

Virtually everthing about the game should interest a DM. That's not changed, and thus if you wanted to see all threads of interest to DMs, you should always have been lurking every forum in the Fundamentals and Community sections except Player Advice, Off-Topic Tavern and maybe Character Development and Astrid's Parlor (or teir predecessors to the extent such existed).
#28

etarnon

Aug 04, 2008 6:45:02
For what it is worth, I'm one of those DMS that will search through 3, 4, or 5 pages to try to help someeone.

If all DMs helping out in the What's a DM to do forums did this= problem solved.
#29

Zherog

Aug 04, 2008 7:00:20
On the bumping issue...

If the CoC allowing only a single "bump" within 2 days time is the problem then that garbage needs to be changed. Just allow multiple posts per the same user as the forums do, and just make the violation be of such that a post with no real content (which is what a "bump" really is) after a day is a no-no.

Calling it a violation of the CoC is overboard, as bumping happens everywhere. Not doing it so often is called manners for forums.

"Bumping" wasn't originally part of the CoC. It's one of those rare things that get added to it by the legal department. It was added because we had an epidemic of bumps. People would bump their thread after 20 minutes, just to make it the top thread on the forum (when it had only dropped to the fifth thread on the forum). People would "bump" a significant number of times within one day.

It was a problem that needed to be addressed. Rather than addressing it with a "we can interpret the CoC this way" type thing, it was decided to actually change the CoC to insert the clarification that excessive bumping is spam.

Basically, short story made long: it's there because it needed to be there at the time.
#30

rorlins

Aug 04, 2008 7:59:29
Something to chew on as we discuss this....

There is a vast amount difference between discussing something with rules lawers and DM's when it comes to a rule call. As DM's we are the rules. We are the world. We are everything the PC's are not. As such how we percieve the rules is fundamentally different than most players.

Let's say I'm having a problem with a player abusing a feat. I go the rules QnA and ask about how to handle it. What I'm most likely to get is a set of people saying 'well here's what the rule says and how I interpret it'. But if I go to fellow DM's I'm also VERY likely to get "Okay, here's how you house rule out of that" mixed in with "here's how you avoid that ever coming up" and a few "here's what the rule says".

Bottom line is that DM's just look at the game from a different angle, and that's what makes them DM's.

I actually really like the two DM forums as a suggestion if the concern is that one forum is getting too much traffic.

Rorlins
#31

wrecan

Aug 04, 2008 8:07:15
The thing is that the DM Advice generally gets fine traffic and I don't have to request such threads get moved. Really, the thread that spawned this discussion is the exception, not the rule. It doesn't make sense to split the DM Advice forum into two forums just because once every six months I might request a thread or two be moved because the forum is going through some unusually busy activity.

I also note that if you're looking for a forum where you can get advice on how to house rule a troublesome rule, there's a House Rules forum for that.
#32

Zherog

Aug 04, 2008 8:44:55
Something else to perhaps keep in mind...

It's permissible under the forum rules to cross-post your topic to two forums without the mods calling it spamming. So let's go with Rorlins's feat example, because it's recent and I'm too lazy to scroll back any further.

If Rorlins has the problem he discussed, maybe he already posted the question to Rules Q&A (to make sure he's interpreting the text correctly) as well as to DM Advice (in order to get the advice he seeks on the adapting/fixing/re-interpreting the rule).

Moving his thread from DM Advice to Rules Q&A produces a duplicate thread in the RQ&A forum. So that's obviously not a good scenario either.

When you request threads get moved, wrecan, are you ensuring the topic isn't already being discussed? Curiosity and all that.

I take a very hands off approach to thread moves on the Player Advice* forum. I want the forum to cover a wide range of meta-topics -- I want rules advice and background advice and build advice and group dynamics advice and so on. Now, I'm definitely not in the same situation, since PA gets about half the traffic. But even if we were pulling 50-ish threads a day, I'm pretty sure I'd maintain my hands off policy on thread moves.
#33

hellmute

Aug 04, 2008 9:15:33
For what it is worth, I'm one of those DMS that will search through 3, 4, or 5 pages to try to help someeone.

If all DMs helping out in the What's a DM to do forums did this= problem solved.

No kidding. I see a booming forum and I first go to the last page with a new post in a thread and see if there is anything their I wish to contribute to and work my way back towards page 1.

There is no real problem if people wanting to actually help are willing to do the work.

Sadly a LOT of rules or other questions seeking advice end up with things like "have you read the rules?" or just a post with a page reference.

While a page reference could be helpful you should think the person has read it and still has questions so jsut giving the page reference unless that is specifically what is asked for is not really helpful.

I really don't get what peoples problem is with looking beyond the first page. Is this some new age thing or trend?
#34

wrecan

Aug 04, 2008 9:26:48
When you request threads get moved, wrecan, are you ensuring the topic isn't already being discussed? Curiosity and all that.

I try. Of course, it is possible that I will miss something, and when that has been brought to my attention I delete or edit my request to move a thread.
#35

wrecan

Aug 04, 2008 9:27:56
I really don't get what peoples problem is with looking beyond the first page. Is this some new age thing or trend?

I think such questions are better posed to a psychology forum.
#36

lord_karsus

Aug 04, 2008 10:35:16
I really don't get what peoples problem is with looking beyond the first page. Is this some new age thing or trend?

-Remember how I said the average poster doesn't know he/she can change the background skin? Odds are, the average poster doesn't realize that there are multiple pages, either. Or, that they can be accessed. Really, you give people far too much credit. ;)

-Conversely, the average poster is exactly that: an average poster. They glance the first visible page, contribute what/when they want, and that's it. They don't care enough to go digging around.
#37

killerdungeonmaster

Aug 04, 2008 16:16:03
-Conversely, the average poster is exactly that: an average poster. They glance the first visible page, contribute what/when they want, and that's it. They don't care enough to go digging around.

I would take this one step further and say that when a site is geared towards the average, that is exactly what the site will become: Average.

I dig through many threads and pages on a nigh-daily schedule.

I think many others do as well - at least the ones that actually want to help others here.

In fact, the first threads I look at are the unanswered ones then move through the ones with the least number of answers and onward.

I also believe that the "average" user here is the one that will post a single question and then wait for an answer, rarely posting more than just their current need. They don't post answers. They are not going to dig through the forums - because there is no need for them to do so.


*****
#38

lord_karsus

Aug 04, 2008 16:30:49
I also believe that the "average" user here is the one that will post a single question and then wait for an answer, rarely posting more than just their current need. They don't post answers. They are not going to dig through the forums - because there is no need for them to do so.


*****

-A large percentage of the total users here are exactly just that: They have questions, they post them, they expect answers, and when they have their answers, they leave. Until next time.
#39

hellmute

Aug 04, 2008 23:24:06
-Remember how I said the average poster doesn't know he/she can change the background skin? Odds are, the average poster doesn't realize that there are multiple pages, either. Or, that they can be accessed. Really, you give people far too much credit. ;)

-Conversely, the average poster is exactly that: an average poster. They glance the first visible page, contribute what/when they want, and that's it. They don't care enough to go digging around.

Well I would rather give them too much credit rather than take WotC stance in following LW footsteps acting and treating all gamers like they were stupid.

All the more reason to have a place about getting general forums help with navigating the forums themselves.

But it seems even some of the VCLs are not interested in helping. Like windows they try to create idiot-proof designs, that then no one has control over, rather than teaching someone how to use what actually exists.

"If you give a man a fish you feed him for the day, if you teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime."
#40

hellmute

Aug 04, 2008 23:26:06
I would take this one step further and say that when a site is geared towards the average, that is exactly what the site will become: Average.

I think the same can be said about more than just websites, but even games as well.
#41

Webster

Aug 04, 2008 23:56:49
Forum splitting/merging shouldn't happen based on what's supposed to be a guideline. A forum doesn't have to be split once it hits x posts per day.

And hellmute is wrong. The VCLs are interested in helping.
#42

hellmute

Aug 05, 2008 1:51:48
But it seems even some of the VCLs are not interested in helping.

And hellmute is wrong. The VCLs are interested in helping.

Please reread. Now I don't know much form a VCL vs FL vs FG so lump them all into normal users with moderator powers under VCL, but did not say all as your statement implies.

You have been helpful just to say, and if/when the forum reach stability and I can find the new version of the character sheet thread and get the few odd messages cleared out of it I will still be informing you about it, is such is needed at that time to replace the current sticky that is hopelessly disorganized after a bad thread merger...or a merged from bad forums software design.

I would question also WHO some of these moderator capacity normal users are more interested in helping? WotC or other users?

I see no reason for a forum devoted to helping people understand the forums software better could not be included as not everyone uses this pathetic forum software and the changes between it and the other 100 or so other BBS packages out there are wide and could use a little better explaining that what comes by default with the forums software.

It just seems something usefull again being turned away because it would take about 5 minutes to implement to create a single new forum.

Granted I would prefer EricB to devote time squashing the subscription bug, but creating a forum such as for helping people use the forums software itself should not be something looked down upon if there is a problem with people being able to use the forum interface.

When I help set up forums it along with an announcement forum is one of the very first things I create for people to find help learning the changes made to the default system of the forum software, or jsut to help translate from one major BBS package to the current one.

Can you even tell me where the BBCode list, or forum FAQ exist for these forums?

I am sure I could find it like the memberlist.php becaue I know the default location, but see no links to it on the pages.

Ergo, since something like that idea is shunned, why i derived that some of the moderator position users aren't interested in helping as the case may be with worrying too much about the traffic of a forum that works as is and such type of forum has always worked, unless you were to actually utilize subforums which Mike L is totally against for whatever reason, and used to be the reason to use vBulletin over PHPBB because it does include category hierarchy to allow for forums within forums aka subforums.

Little improvements that allow others to help each other can go a long way to making a better community.

Longer message than I intended to write...sorry, pain killers make me lose track of time and such....so take the first chapter or two here as the crux of the post.
#43

Webster

Aug 05, 2008 2:40:38
bb code list:

http://forums.gleemax.com/misc.php?do=bbcode

The forum FAQ is in the bar with my account- calendar- code of conduct, etc.

I see no reason for a forum devoted to helping people understand the forums software better could not be included as not everyone uses this pathetic forum software and the changes between it and the other 100 or so other BBS packages out there are wide and could use a little better explaining that what comes by default with the forums software.

This is the forum- community business. It's the board about the boards and how they work.
#44

hellmute

Aug 05, 2008 4:03:35
bb code list:

http://forums.gleemax.com/misc.php?do=bbcode

The forum FAQ is in the bar with my account- calendar- code of conduct, etc.

That waste of page space that I disabled in my user CP because it had nothing but whitespace under it?

Real good design idea there.
#45

Zherog

Aug 05, 2008 6:56:51
"If you give a man a fish you feed him for the day, if you teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime."

Nah, you got it wrong.

"If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day; if you teach a man to fish, he'll sit in a boat and drink beer all day."
#46

hellmute

Aug 05, 2008 8:03:02
Nah, you got it wrong.

"If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day; if you teach a man to fish, he'll sit in a boat and drink beer all day."

well since he had the barley to begin with to make the beer it is not my fault he didnt make bread with it.

I don't like fish or beer anyway, catching hamburger is pretty easy. :P
#47

mudbunny

Aug 05, 2008 22:04:22
Please reread. Now I don't know much form a VCL vs FL vs FG so lump them all into normal users with moderator powers under VCL, but did not say all as your statement implies.

Interesting. In a previous post you say that CM should not assume that the posters are morons, and that they should be given a little credit. Yet you haven't even taken the time to find out the difference between a VCL, FG and FL.

Also, VCLs do not have moderator powers. WE cannot remove posts, we cannot edit posts or any of the traditional moderator powers.

(Note - We can request that posts be deleted or threads merged, but we cannot do those things ourselves)

I would question also WHO some of these moderator capacity normal users are more interested in helping? WotC or other users?

If you are going to accuse VCLs/FGs/FLs of something, please come out and say it straight out. Do not do so with veiled accusations.
#48

Webster

Aug 05, 2008 22:31:12
That waste of page space that I disabled in my user CP because it had nothing but whitespace under it?

Real good design idea there.

What waste of space? You asked for the links, I provided.

(And I thought the saying was "Light a fire for a man and keep him warm for a day. Light a man on fire and keep him warm the rest of his life." )
#49

lord_karsus

Aug 05, 2008 22:34:13
(And I thought the saying was "Light a fire for a man and keep him warm for a day. Light a man on fire and keep him warm the rest of his life." )

-I can guarantee there are at least ten variations on the theme. ;)
#50

hellmute

Aug 05, 2008 23:13:58
What waste of space? You asked for the links, I provided.

(And I thought the saying was "Light a fire for a man and keep him warm for a day. Light a man on fire and keep him warm the rest of his life." )

The thing is I don't see them as they no logner exist for me. The bad design of having the content of a page squished in the middle with things on either side I have to kil at all costs.

There was only empty space beneath that left sidebar with the mailing list, so I got rid of it.

As for the saying who knows. I just heard the fish bit all the time because my grandmother as you-know-who did that stuff with a single fish and a crust of bread to feed X number of people.

Yes mudbunny, thanks for insinuating I am a moron because the concept of the moderator levels around here is ridiculous and convoluted so that nobody knows what their job is and the forums are a joke and people ignore the Wizo's canned spam because they don't care about regurgitated messages.

All of WotC seems to be suffering from that problem. No information, but expect everyone who uses ANY of their product to lick their butts. Not kiss, they expect a full for lack of better smiley.

I am not the only one getting fed up with the way things are done around here, if you care to read the forums. I just happen to be one that prefers to keep my nose clean.
#51

pschirf

Aug 06, 2008 0:01:10
Great idea - just like back in the old forum when I was PenderGrass and Fixxxer was roaming the wilds with Killer Orange Cones.

Some of us old timers are still here. I wonder if SeaWasp is still around...

Wasser / Schirf
#52

Zherog

Aug 06, 2008 6:40:45
[thread=1032602]Everything you ever wanted to know about VCLs, FLs, and FGs but were afraid to ask[/thread]
#53

ramses_iii

Aug 06, 2008 7:05:31
On topic, I actually would like to know what the criteria are, once the forum hits its arbitrary critical mass, for something to be on-topic in DM advice. I ask this question especially because of the thread in question getting moved to its current location. I read the DM advice forum to get ideas from other DMs and to advise them when I think I can help them out. I don't read the character construction forum for controllers, because I don't really have any interest in people's arguments over whether or not the wizard is underpowered. Hence, if the thread in question had been posted where it "belonged," I would never have seen it or cared about it, and would never have read or contributed to it. As it stands, it was posted in what I would consider the appropriate forum, since it was a question about dealing with abuse of the rules rather than a question about rules specifics, and I have posted in the thread several times. Can I get a clear answer on this? What actually "belongs" in the DM advice forum?
#54

wrecan

Aug 06, 2008 7:57:07
On topic, I actually would like to know what the criteria are, once the forum hits its arbitrary critical mass, for something to be on-topic in DM advice.

Sure. [thread=1041820]This thread[/thread] is stickied in the DM Advice Forum for just such questions!