NationStates Jolt Archive

Wait! Before you vote, note that this is a multiple choice poll.

The first two options might seem the same, THEY'RE NOT!
ONLY vote 1 if you aren't making any other votes.

Option 9 probably won't work. But I'm sick of polls that left off a great option.

In case any of the options aren't self-explanatory, here's some paraphrasing:

(1) It's fine just the way it is. Leave it alone!
Please only vote this if you selected no other option.

(2) It's pretty good like it is, but I voted another way also.
There is no "I hate NSG' option -- I don't want to enable your pain.

(3)There should be permanent topics

"Everyone reads the OP. It should define the topic, in more detail than the title."
"I shouldn't have to post to four different threads to defend my position"

(4)There should be private threads, password protected by the OPer.

It would keep spammers and trolls out of my favourite thread.
The OP should be able to grant admission, so they could mod their own thread.
We could have a Christians-only thread, where we wouldn't be harrassed.

(5)Democracy! We should rate each others' posts.
Note: this would involve moving to another server, (if I have it right), and some funding for same.

Hey, it worked on Slashdot! (before it went to hell)
Rating each other's posts would take a load off the mods.

(6)What a terrible idea! No post or thread rating.

We'd waste too much time modding each other, and debate would suffer.
Annoying posters who are generally ignored would turn nastier if their posts sank out of sight.
Huge hassle to implement. We can't ask the mods to do that.

(7)N00bs who refuse to read the rules should be postbanned.

N00bs aren't really much of a problem here, but doh. Read the rules!
Posters who flat out refuse to read the stickies are going to be a problem sooner or later.

(8)I wish there was a button to completely ignore all of a user's posts.

EDIT: There already is, as TMGHack points out. D'oh.
"The self-destruct mechanism got hit, and blew itself up" as the radio-operator in Dr Strangelove has it.

(9)Option 9. SEE the red section of the FIRST POST.
If and when the responses reach 15 posts, this option will represent any compellingly good option which I've forgotten, and has been suggested by other posters. Yeah, that corrupts the results a bit, but if you're going to whine about it, just don't vote until this option has been inserted.
To be decided after 15 posts, if that happens, and inserted here. Anyone voting for this before then is officially a Goose.

(10) Dumb poll, honk if you're a goose, pancakes, and all other options.

In case you really don't want to answer the poll, but just can't help yourself.

Early posters please make suggestions for option nine. I really am going to put that in at 15 posts, if the thread gets there. No delay: that's the only way it's even half fair. Perhaps Option 8 is a lousy idea ... we'll see.

And lastly, it's just a poll! It's not binding on anyone, and isn't meant to be a call to action. Just tell us what chronic problems you think General has, and how they could be fixed.

EDIT-4: shortened the above somewhat. Plan 9 looks like being "bring back avatars" at this point.

Blimey, someon got some time on their hands :D *hugs tightly* hey you!

Well personally, its more of a thing that would have to be technically done, nothing that can be done with this. I think it would be good if we could have pictures to the left under our name. So that it comes up when we post and the such. For people who want to put pictures of themselves up, or pictures of anything...they should be screened by mods before they are accepted so that they are decent...

Thats the only thing this forum doesnt have that I have previously liked about others.

I like general, I like the people and thats why I'm here!

I miss avatars. That's about it.

Just to be a killjoy...

(4)There should be private threads, password protected by the OPer.Impossible with current vBulletin structure.

(8)I wish there was a button to completely ignore all of a user's posts.There already is. It's called, oddly enough, "ignore".

Some suggestions to improve General.

1) Ad a stickied thread for people to post explicit material that would otherwise get them banned. Everyone would know what's in that thread and nobody would accidentally stumble upon a goatse picture or something, therefore the innocent would be protected.

2) Combine more of the threads that deal with the same subject. There have been days where a recent development, like the Lebanon thing, have been the subject of four or more separate threads.

3) Encourage some of the entertaining spam threads. They keep things light and fun.

4) Allow each mod only 3 forum bans per month. That way they don't get carried away with discipline.

5) Pay me to post more. What the hell, it can't hurt.

...
Well personally, its more of a thing that would have to be technically done, nothing that can be done with this.All of the options would involve some degree of hassle for the mods.
Hey, we can dream :) I think it would be good if we could have pictures to the left under our name. 'Avatars' ... yep. Noted, it would be extra work, and also use more bandwidth.[/QUOTE]
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Just to be a killjoy...
There should be private threads, password protected by the OPer.
Impossible with current vBulletin structure.
Hmm. I suspected that. We can dream!
I wish there was a button to completely ignore all of a user's posts.
There already is. It's called, oddly enough, "ignore".
Ouch!
That damn feature works too well! I ignored it.;)
I might ask for this poll to be deleted or moved to spam if another fundamental dumbness like that comes to light.
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Some suggestions to improve General.

1) Ad a stickied thread for people to post explicit material that would otherwise get them banned. Everyone would know what's in that thread and nobody would accidentally stumble upon a goatse picture or something, therefore the innocent would be protected.Sounds like fun;)

2) Combine more of the threads that deal with the same subject. There have been days where a recent development, like the Lebanon thing, have been the subject of four or more separate threads.That's what I was trying to get at with the "Permanent topics" idea. There's a guideline about copycat threads, but perhaps some kind of marker that one thread is the main one on that subject? Hmm.

4) Allow each mod only 3 forum bans per month. That way they don't get carried away with discipline.And can be eliminated from the equation by a few posters determined to get threads deleted or themselves banned. Nope, I think mods need the force multiplier.

All your ideas have been noted and will be considered for the evil Option Nine.
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At the moment it's looking like "cute wiggly avatars" for option nine.

Two respondent have made geese of themselves already.:rolleyes:

This thread is slow enough that I think I'll get away with eight hours sleep before the 15th post comes up. At least I hope so.
Thanks all.