Starting Threads - Please read

[JSn]

A cultural reference that evades me...

Evades? That's a nimble cultural reference, perhaps it could play RB for the Pats.

 

[apple strudel]

For example, while that thread criticizing Pioli was off the mark, there was some truth to it. The lack of 2nd and 3rd round selections remaining on the team is unsettling. If I were to make a post questioning the strategy exercised by the personnel dept. in the 2nd round, is that automatically going to be moved? Are mods going to have this discretion?

The subject is an interesting one, but pretty much right off the bat in that thread the discussion went nowhere and it was clear it was just a troll.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Ian,

While I understand what you're doing, I am concerned that this move may be the first step down an unfortunate path. Where exactly does the line get drawn? Does ANY criticism of the team deem it necessary a thread be moved to the Practice Squad forum?

As someone who was very frustrated and turned off from this Forum by the myriad stridently negative topics posted again and again with different thread titles recently, I can see that some action was needed.

However DGame raises excellent points. I thought that the topic criticizing Belioli's draft performance was on-topic. It was not just a rant, as the originator included data to substantiate his opinion. I think it got moved because of the thread starter's past history, not so much as content. Whatever the reason, I think that it is important to have threads critical of team decisions and performances allowed in the main forum. I think we all need to think long and hard how to deal with the recent topic pollution by a few repeat spammers of the Forum. Wish I had the right solution but I don't.

 

[apple strudel]

As someone who was very frustrated and turned off from this Forum by the myriad stridently negative topics posted again and again with different thread titles recently, I can see that some action was needed.

However DGame raises excellent points. I thought that the topic criticizing Belioli's draft performance was on-topic. It was not just a rant, as the originator included data to substantiate his opinion. I think it got moved because of the thread starter's past history, not so much as content. Whatever the reason, I think that it is important to have threads critical of team decisions and performances allowed in the main forum. I think we all need to think long and hard how to deal with the recent topic pollution by a few repeat spammers of the Forum. Wish I had the right solution but I don't.

Sorry, I spent time in that thread and it stopped moving when new data and arguments were added to the mix that contradicted or placed in context the original data presented (it was quite limited stuff, really).

It turned into "this is true, and I'm standing by my original assertion, even when presented with evidence to the contrary." Threads like that are locked on SOSH, and they should be here, too. It's a troll that's a waste of time.

 

[DGameguy]

I think giving this authority to mods wouldn't be a smart idea.

As for possible solutions, I know a lot of people on the board NikeTalk, it's a massive board and they have a very well-defined policy on this sort of thing. Posters receive warnings that eventually amount to a monthlong ban. The number is determined by the severity of the offense and how long a member has been on the board. If they continue to act out after their month ban, they are permanently banned.

I'm not certain duplicating their policy would eb the right thing to do in this situation, but having elements such as a timeframe for a ban to the Practice Squad might be a good idea. Also, new memberships are only granted at the beginning of the month, which makes people less likely to endanger their membership.

Just some thoughts.

 

[JAYHAWKS34]

We've been a very good board for a long time, and a couple of threads tonight (along with many not-so-well-thought-out posts recently following a loss) are causing me to have to post this.

Please take the time to really think about what you're about to post before starting a new thread. If some of the nonsense continues I will be removing your ability to start new threads, which has already happened to several people. There are a lot of eyes that watch this forum that if you knew who they were you'd be embarrassed to post this stuff if you knew they were reading it. We're a pretty laid back forum and let a lot slide, but some of the stuff recently has just been over-the-top (see some of the threads in the "Practice Squad" forum).

We've had a good group in here for quite a while with some of the best football minds who contribute here. So please take the time to think before you post, particularly if you're about to start a new thread. Otherwise it may end up in the aforementioned forum and while you'll still be able to post replies, you may lose your thread starting privileges. So please take the time to try posting insightful thoughts that will help provoke thoughtful conversation, instead of grabbing attention for all the wrong reasons.

Ian

Amen


........

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Maybe new members should be limited to the PS area until they reach a certain # of posts. While that wouldn't necessarily change the quality of posts at least the main forum wouldn't get so messed up, plus if they're indeed a troll that fact would probably emerge before they ever arrive at the main forum.

I've read a lot of thoughtful,informed posts that were also on the negative side, but the quality of the post (and poster) often dictates the responses. Sometimes 'negative' threads can ellicit good discussion but again, a lot of what happens depends on how it's presented and by whom.

All some people seem to do is post negativity and those people won't get many considerate responses even if they eventually find the proverbial nut once in awhile. On an internet message board you pretty much are what you post and it really doesn't matter how old you are or how long you've been a fan or anything else. What matters is what you say.

Ian's right -it's YOUR OWN responsibility to THINK before you post,or at least be aware that whatever you post is going to dictate how people 'see you', so to speak,and the only consequences are those you've earned yourself.

Maybe once the screaming drama mamas calm down there won't be so many threads moved to the PS.

 

[Ian]

Ian,

While I understand what you're doing, I am concerned that this move may be the first step down an unfortunate path. Where exactly does the line get drawn? Does ANY criticism of the team deem it necessary a thread be moved to the Practice Squad forum?

As fans, I believe we have the right to be disappointed in poor performance by the team we root for and to express that disappointment through criticism. Moving some of the more inane or ridiculously-conceived threads is one thing, but removing genuine, well thought out criticism from the board just so the feelings of the more lemming-like members are not hurt would be a shame.

For example, while that thread criticizing Pioli was off the mark, there was some truth to it. The lack of 2nd and 3rd round selections remaining on the team is unsettling. If I were to make a post questioning the strategy exercised by the personnel dept. in the 2nd round, is that automatically going to be moved? Are mods going to have this discretion?

I read this board for a few years before I joined, and I've seen a lot of things here. There's been a lot of bad behavior by a lot of people, from long-term members to the occasional opponent troll, that never warranted a reaction like this. (From what I've seen), You have been lax with it, and left us to our own devices in dealing with it. It's refreshing compared to other boards, who perma-ban people for the slightest infraction.

I appreciate all the work you do for the board, and perusing it has become a part of my daily routine. I just don't want the McCartyistic behavior that has been occurring on this board to be vindicated in anyway.

There's criticism with analysis, and then there is the "(insert player's name here) sucks" or we should "trade (insert player's name here)". There's been too much of the latter here lately. So no, we're not really changing anything...just trying to cut down on some of the nonsense that's been here lately.

 

[Ian]

As someone who was very frustrated and turned off from this Forum by the myriad stridently negative topics posted again and again with different thread titles recently, I can see that some action was needed.

However DGame raises excellent points. I thought that the topic criticizing Belioli's draft performance was on-topic. It was not just a rant, as the originator included data to substantiate his opinion. I think it got moved because of the thread starter's past history, not so much as content. Whatever the reason, I think that it is important to have threads critical of team decisions and performances allowed in the main forum. I think we all need to think long and hard how to deal with the recent topic pollution by a few repeat spammers of the Forum. Wish I had the right solution but I don't.

Again, I have no issue with criticizing the team, as long as it's done with more than "(insert player's name here) sucks". This will have more to do with some of the threads started than the replies. Look back two weeks ago before I even started moving threads after they lost the San Diego game and you may see what I'm talking about. More importantly, check the thread last night suggesting we trade Morris and Brady...that was what pushed me over the edge

 

[Ian]

Maybe new members should be limited to the PS area until they reach a certain # of posts. While that wouldn't necessarily change the quality of posts at least the main forum wouldn't get so messed up, plus if they're indeed a troll that fact would probably emerge before they ever arrive at the main forum.

I've read a lot of thoughtful,informed posts that were also on the negative side, but the quality of the post (and poster) often dictates the responses. Sometimes 'negative' threads can ellicit good discussion but again, a lot of what happens depends on how it's presented and by whom.

All some people seem to do is post negativity and those people won't get many considerate responses even if they eventually find the proverbial nut once in awhile. On an internet message board you pretty much are what you post and it really doesn't matter how old you are or how long you've been a fan or anything else. What matters is what you say.

Ian's right -it's YOUR OWN responsibility to THINK before you post,or at least be aware that whatever you post is going to dictate how people 'see you', so to speak,and the only consequences are those you've earned yourself.

Maybe once the screaming drama mamas calm down there won't be so many threads moved to the PS.

I'm not going to confine anyone and feel everyone should be able to participate here. It's more to do with the threads started here recently. A few of the people who have had their posting thread ability suspended can still reply to posts, and again that may be lifted as time goes on. I'm just trying to end the threads mentioned in my other replies...otherwise it's going to make for a long week in the event they lose a game. It's just getting ridiculous.

Believe me...don't read more into this than it actually is. The "Trade Brady & Morris" thread was more or less the last straw. - Ian

 

[CheerforTom]

I think this is a very good thing for the board. I was a little concerned at first with the things that have already been brought up, but your responses have given me a lot of confidence, Ian. Thanks.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

The Trade Brady and Morris thread is what converted me to the vip forum

 

[Joker]

Now you see, Ian....THAT post and others like it I consider high in unintentional comedy...which I enjoy. Look, these things ebb and flow. There's a lot of passion out there and a lot of "I know better than anybody!" types that use the forum to vent. This is the nature of boards and has been since the days of the Radio Shack 800 series.Relegating certain posters to a confined thread or outright bannings only incite them to contravene the sytem with new logins and even more detritus.Plus, there's plenty of threads for even tempered discussion here anyway. I'd rather be a member of a diverse, heavily populated board than sit around with the same 10 people everyday,scratching each others backs. Just my opinion.

 

[Ian]

The Trade Brady and Morris thread is what converted me to the vip forum

That's good. With over 100 people registered now it would be nice for more people to utilize it

 

[Ian]

Relegating certain posters to a confined thread or outright bannings only incite them to contravene the sytem with new logins and even more detritus.

They can't do that because I manually approve all new members and can tell if they already had/have another account.

I think there's more being made on this than there really needs to be. Like I said, it was more of a "think before you post" thread more than anything else. - Ian

 

[Joker]

BTW, I'd like to contribute $100 to the site but for some reason Paypal won't accept my card.Any suggestions?

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

The Trade Brady and Morris thread is what converted me to the vip forum

Problem with that is one of the posters I would want to avoid, PATRIOTSFANINPA, is a VIP member.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I moved the Pioli thread, after 9 pages, because at the end, it turned into nothing but name calling and swipes at posters and "you're picking on me post".

NSA made his post based on his opinion. I engaged the thread and cited some references but that ignored and the rants and name calling continued.

Also Ian stated a couple of years ago that players and players families do read this board. He has received emails from some of them. It is embarrassing that they are reading some of these things.

As a mod I don't want to delete posts or move threads on a whim of my personal preference. I'm very slow to do that. But there also has to be some standards. As a poster I come here to "talk" Patriots football and to have some fun. We don't want to take the fun part out of it.

There are some who are starting threads quite a few thread recently with the intent to irritate and just call attention to themselves. I think that is what Ian is talking about.

 

[Ian]

I'm going to lock this before it gets more off topic (I don't want to start rating people in this thread and don't expect everyone to like everybody. Click the "Ignore Button" if you have someone you'd prefer not to read).

But I think enough people have read this, so hopefully the point has been made.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Problem with that is one of the posters I would want to avoid, PATRIOTSFANINPA, is a VIP member.

You still have the ignore option if that is holding you back. We all can't get along with everyone. Doesn't make one person good or the other bad, it's just the way it is.