hijacks ruining Patriots Notebook threads

[n1997y]

Recently I’ve noticed Ian’s daily Patriots Notebook threads are being hijacked with an overwhelming volume of “today in Patriots history” posts by one of our mods. Those posts are huge, sometimes numerous, and squeeze out discussion of the content in Ian’s original post. I’m about to quit reading those daily threads as a result.

The May 30 thread is a great example. There were eight or ten posts discussing the notebook contents before the first mod “on this day” post; after that post it was difficult to find any, because there were very few and they were drowned in off topic material.

I think historical perspective is neat, and I’d like to see it posted in its own thread instead of hijacking Ian’s thread. Please?!?!

BTW this was particularly irritating to me after a different mod quickly killed a resurrected thread for extraneous content. It makes me feel the board is devolving to a sandbox for mods to express their personal perspectives. I didn’t mind the thread resurrected with non-football content because people were being nice and having fun. IMO it didn’t need to be locked because it would’ve petered out; if it didn’t run out of steam that would’ve been because people were still enjoying it. Different story if people were being nasty, but they weren’t. Anyway I’m just grumbling because if the ban hammer gets used I’d like to see the same rigor applied to thread hijacks by mods. Just my .02, take it for what it’s worth.

 

[jmt57]

Recently I’ve noticed Ian’s daily Patriots Notebook threads are being hijacked with an overwhelming volume of “today in Patriots history” posts by one of our mods. Those posts are huge, sometimes numerous, and squeeze out discussion of the content in Ian’s original post. I’m about to quit reading those daily threads as a result.

The May 30 thread is a great example. There were eight or ten posts discussing the notebook contents before the first mod “on this day” post; after that post it was difficult to find any, because there were very few and they were drowned in off topic material.

I think historical perspective is neat, and I’d like to see it posted in its own thread instead of hijacking Ian’s thread. Please?!?!

BTW this was particularly irritating to me after a different mod quickly killed a resurrected thread for extraneous content. It makes me feel the board is devolving to a sandbox for mods to express their personal perspectives. I didn’t mind the thread resurrected with non-football content because people were being nice and having fun. IMO it didn’t need to be locked because it would’ve petered out; if it didn’t run out of steam that would’ve been because people were still enjoying it. Different story if people were being nasty, but they weren’t. Anyway I’m just grumbling because if the ban hammer gets used I’d like to see the same rigor applied to thread hijacks by mods. Just my .02, take it for what it’s worth.

Hello. It's me, that damn mod that needs to be banned.

I can do that (post it in its own thread) if that is what the forum as a whole would prefer. I'm not sure why you would feel the need to start a thread on the subject rather than a PM to Ian and/or myself, but whatever.

I posted them on the daily news threads for two reasons:
1) the forum as a whole has been allergic to reading or commenting on the blog threads for as long as I can remember. In fact, I can remember many instances when one of those daily threads would pertain to a certain subject, only to have forum members ignore it and start a new thread on the very same subject afterwards, and comment there instead.
2.) adding comments (and the Pats history) on the news of the day was to me a good way to give the original column more eyeballs. To me it was great info that people here were missing. Glad you feel the same.

On the day/thread in question (May 30), I purposely waited until later (about 6:30), five hours after the after the last previous comment. I went ahead and posted at that point because I felt the thread had run its course - plus the subject matter (Drake Maye's footwork) was being much more actively discussed in two other threads. As it turns out there was one more comment about the original comment, that came sixty seconds after my post. Then on Saturday - two days later - there was a second late comment.

As for mods expressing their personal perspective, I have said this before and I will say it again: if it comes down to a choice of me either being able to express my thoughts and opinion, or being a moderator, but not both - I will resign as a mod without hesitation.

Threads that have any legs at all have multiple conversations going on, all the time. Please don't let that stop you from replying to somebody else's comment, or to the original post on any thread.


In terms of the locked thread, that was either Ian or another mod that locked it. I can see both sides. I agree with you, it was an interesting discussion. But on the other hand it was also extremely confusing: a thread that was seemingly new to us that had quickly garnerd pages of comments, when in reality it was a year or more old discussion. Many people are bound to start reading such a thread from the start and responding to completely outdated information. In this case the first page or two was filled with comments from one person who has passed away, and multiple others that are no longer members of the forum.


But hey, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I have been aware of and concerned with the unwanted possibility of derailing the subject of those threads, and attempting to avoid doing so. I didn't realize that it would cause such a negative reaction.

 

[Pape]

Recently I’ve noticed Ian’s daily Patriots Notebook threads are being hijacked with an overwhelming volume of “today in Patriots history” posts by one of our mods. Those posts are huge, sometimes numerous, and squeeze out discussion of the content in Ian’s original post. I’m about to quit reading those daily threads as a result.

The May 30 thread is a great example. There were eight or ten posts discussing the notebook contents before the first mod “on this day” post; after that post it was difficult to find any, because there were very few and they were drowned in off topic material.

I think historical perspective is neat, and I’d like to see it posted in its own thread instead of hijacking Ian’s thread. Please?!?!

BTW this was particularly irritating to me after a different mod quickly killed a resurrected thread for extraneous content. It makes me feel the board is devolving to a sandbox for mods to express their personal perspectives. I didn’t mind the thread resurrected with non-football content because people were being nice and having fun. IMO it didn’t need to be locked because it would’ve petered out; if it didn’t run out of steam that would’ve been because people were still enjoying it. Different story if people were being nasty, but they weren’t. Anyway I’m just grumbling because if the ban hammer gets used I’d like to see the same rigor applied to thread hijacks by mods. Just my .02, take it for what it’s worth.

personally, i was happy to see those posts back

don't care where they are, just that they get posted.

The Pats history threads are some of th best content on this site. if it draws eyes to the other stuff Ian is writing, cool by me.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I loved the Today in Patriots History posts and read them regularly. I didn't realize they were back. Please give them a separate thread (and thanks @jmt57 ).

 

[tuckeverlasting]

i go back a ways so i'm just happy to reminisce wherever they are.

 

[Ross12]

Hello. It's me, that damn mod that needs to be banned.

I can do that (post it in its own thread) if that is what the forum as a whole would prefer. I'm not sure why you would feel the need to start a thread on the subject rather than a PM to Ian and/or myself, but whatever.

I posted them on the daily news threads for two reasons:
1) the forum as a whole has been allergic to reading or commenting on the blog threads for as long as I can remember. In fact, I can remember many instances when one of those daily threads would pertain to a certain subject, only to have forum members ignore it and start a new thread on the very same subject afterwards, and comment there instead.
2.) adding comments (and the Pats history) on the news of the day was to me a good way to give the original column more eyeballs. To me it was great info that people here were missing. Glad you feel the same.

On the day/thread in question (May 30), I purposely waited until later (about 6:30), five hours after the after the last previous comment. I went ahead and posted at that point because I felt the thread had run its course - plus the subject matter (Drake Maye's footwork) was being much more actively discussed in two other threads. As it turns out there was one more comment about the original comment, that came sixty seconds after my post. Then on Saturday - two days later - there was a second late comment.

As for mods expressing their personal perspective, I have said this before and I will say it again: if it comes down to a choice of me either being able to express my thoughts and opinion, or being a moderator, but not both - I will resign as a mod without hesitation.

Threads that have any legs at all have multiple conversations going on, all the time. Please don't let that stop you from replying to somebody else's comment, or to the original post on any thread.


In terms of the locked thread, that was either Ian or another mod that locked it. I can see both sides. I agree with you, it was an interesting discussion. But on the other hand it was also extremely confusing: a thread that was seemingly new to us that had quickly garnerd pages of comments, when in reality it was a year or more old discussion. Many people are bound to start reading such a thread from the start and responding to completely outdated information. In this case the first page or two was filled with comments from one person who has passed away, and multiple others that are no longer members of the forum.


But hey, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I have been aware of and concerned with the unwanted possibility of derailing the subject of those threads, and attempting to avoid doing so. I didn't realize that it would cause such a negative reaction.

I locked the post in question as the two folks who had re-opened the year old thread to talk about an unrelated and personal topic (though it was a positively toned conversation) had already had their back-and-forth run its course and there was no longer any reason to leave it open and leave the opportunity for others to get confused, like you said here. If the two in question wish to continue their chat there’s always the PM option, though neither expressed any displeasure that I’m aware of.

 

[BTTA]

Recently I’ve noticed Ian’s daily Patriots Notebook threads are being hijacked with an overwhelming volume of “today in Patriots history” posts by one of our mods. Those posts are huge, sometimes numerous, and squeeze out discussion of the content in Ian’s original post. I’m about to quit reading those daily threads as a result.

The May 30 thread is a great example. There were eight or ten posts discussing the notebook contents before the first mod “on this day” post; after that post it was difficult to find any, because there were very few and they were drowned in off topic material.

I think historical perspective is neat, and I’d like to see it posted in its own thread instead of hijacking Ian’s thread. Please?!?!

BTW this was particularly irritating to me after a different mod quickly killed a resurrected thread for extraneous content. It makes me feel the board is devolving to a sandbox for mods to express their personal perspectives. I didn’t mind the thread resurrected with non-football content because people were being nice and having fun. IMO it didn’t need to be locked because it would’ve petered out; if it didn’t run out of steam that would’ve been because people were still enjoying it. Different story if people were being nasty, but they weren’t. Anyway I’m just grumbling because if the ban hammer gets used I’d like to see the same rigor applied to thread hijacks by mods. Just my .02, take it for what it’s worth.

The irony of writing a long post about long posts, when 99% of the readers can do nothing about it.
Just write to him directly.

 

[State]

I loved the Today in Patriots History posts and read them regularly. I didn't realize they were back. Please give them a separate thread (and thanks @jmt57 ).

Me too.

Most under appreciated part of this forum.

 

[raduray]

Hello. It's me, that damn mod that needs to be banned.

I can do that (post it in its own thread) if that is what the forum as a whole would prefer. I'm not sure why you would feel the need to start a thread on the subject rather than a PM to Ian and/or myself, but whatever.

I posted them on the daily news threads for two reasons:
1) the forum as a whole has been allergic to reading or commenting on the blog threads for as long as I can remember. In fact, I can remember many instances when one of those daily threads would pertain to a certain subject, only to have forum members ignore it and start a new thread on the very same subject afterwards, and comment there instead.
2.) adding comments (and the Pats history) on the news of the day was to me a good way to give the original column more eyeballs. To me it was great info that people here were missing. Glad you feel the same.

On the day/thread in question (May 30), I purposely waited until later (about 6:30), five hours after the after the last previous comment. I went ahead and posted at that point because I felt the thread had run its course - plus the subject matter (Drake Maye's footwork) was being much more actively discussed in two other threads. As it turns out there was one more comment about the original comment, that came sixty seconds after my post. Then on Saturday - two days later - there was a second late comment.

As for mods expressing their personal perspective, I have said this before and I will say it again: if it comes down to a choice of me either being able to express my thoughts and opinion, or being a moderator, but not both - I will resign as a mod without hesitation.

Threads that have any legs at all have multiple conversations going on, all the time. Please don't let that stop you from replying to somebody else's comment, or to the original post on any thread.


In terms of the locked thread, that was either Ian or another mod that locked it. I can see both sides. I agree with you, it was an interesting discussion. But on the other hand it was also extremely confusing: a thread that was seemingly new to us that had quickly garnerd pages of comments, when in reality it was a year or more old discussion. Many people are bound to start reading such a thread from the start and responding to completely outdated information. In this case the first page or two was filled with comments from one person who has passed away, and multiple others that are no longer members of the forum.


But hey, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I have been aware of and concerned with the unwanted possibility of derailing the subject of those threads, and attempting to avoid doing so. I didn't realize that it would cause such a negative reaction.

Is it a moderator's job to pump up an unpopular (for whatever reason) thread?

 

[Wozzy]

Why not just start one perpetual "On This Day In Patriot's History" thread, seems like a good resolution and would actually make for a cool read?

 

[Ross12]

Is it a moderator's job to pump up an unpopular (for whatever reason) thread?

Not his job, but what he wants to do. We are members also.

 

[IcyPatriot]

A mostly thankless job ...
The opinion should have been discussed as a PM .... decorum.
As for resurrected threads ... Ian has established the procedure for that more than a few times.

Just my .03 cents.

 

[n1997y]

Hello. It's me, that damn mod that needs to be banned.

I can do that (post it in its own thread) if that is what the forum as a whole would prefer. I'm not sure why you would feel the need to start a thread on the subject rather than a PM to Ian and/or myself, but whatever.

I posted them on the daily news threads for two reasons:
1) the forum as a whole has been allergic to reading or commenting on the blog threads for as long as I can remember. In fact, I can remember many instances when one of those daily threads would pertain to a certain subject, only to have forum members ignore it and start a new thread on the very same subject afterwards, and comment there instead.
2.) adding comments (and the Pats history) on the news of the day was to me a good way to give the original column more eyeballs. To me it was great info that people here were missing. Glad you feel the same.

On the day/thread in question (May 30), I purposely waited until later (about 6:30), five hours after the after the last previous comment. I went ahead and posted at that point because I felt the thread had run its course - plus the subject matter (Drake Maye's footwork) was being much more actively discussed in two other threads. As it turns out there was one more comment about the original comment, that came sixty seconds after my post. Then on Saturday - two days later - there was a second late comment.

As for mods expressing their personal perspective, I have said this before and I will say it again: if it comes down to a choice of me either being able to express my thoughts and opinion, or being a moderator, but not both - I will resign as a mod without hesitation.

Threads that have any legs at all have multiple conversations going on, all the time. Please don't let that stop you from replying to somebody else's comment, or to the original post on any thread.


In terms of the locked thread, that was either Ian or another mod that locked it. I can see both sides. I agree with you, it was an interesting discussion. But on the other hand it was also extremely confusing: a thread that was seemingly new to us that had quickly garnerd pages of comments, when in reality it was a year or more old discussion. Many people are bound to start reading such a thread from the start and responding to completely outdated information. In this case the first page or two was filled with comments from one person who has passed away, and multiple others that are no longer members of the forum.


But hey, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I have been aware of and concerned with the unwanted possibility of derailing the subject of those threads, and attempting to avoid doing so. I didn't realize that it would cause such a negative reaction.

(Sorry I didn’t get back to this sooner, too much else going on in my offline life)

I debated PM vs post. Was a close call, but I decided to post because I believe we all share co-creation of this space and everyone should be able to weigh in on the discussion of such decisions.

I certainly did not want to suggest in any way criticism of our mods. In retrospect I shouldn’t have referenced mod status at all in my post. It’s not relevant. I apologize. I think our mods do a great job, and I regret distracting from that.

I think I’ve seen two suggestions as possible alternatives: a standing Patriots history thread, and a daily “on this day” post. I think I’d favor the latter, with a new thread for each day, because I think a single thread would quickly become huge. That raises a couple of concerns for me, one of them is that as an IT geek I’ve learned to avoid unintentionally stress testing software and intuitively I expect at some point that thread would get so big it would cause headaches. More practically catching up after missing a few updates would be a pita. Having a new thread each day would be much simpler IMO so that’s my preference.

Thanks to everybody for voicing opinions civilly, and for being patient with my clumsy attempt to spark collective decision making. And apologies to all our mods for my stirring things up.

 

[jmt57]

(Sorry I didn’t get back to this sooner, too much else going on in my offline life)

I debated PM vs post. Was a close call, but I decided to post because I believe we all share co-creation of this space and everyone should be able to weigh in on the discussion of such decisions.

I certainly did not want to suggest in any way criticism of our mods. In retrospect I shouldn’t have referenced mod status at all in my post. It’s not relevant. I apologize. I think our mods do a great job, and I regret distracting from that.

I think I’ve seen two suggestions as possible alternatives: a standing Patriots history thread, and a daily “on this day” post. I think I’d favor the latter, with a new thread for each day, because I think a single thread would quickly become huge. That raises a couple of concerns for me, one of them is that as an IT geek I’ve learned to avoid unintentionally stress testing software and intuitively I expect at some point that thread would get so big it would cause headaches. More practically catching up after missing a few updates would be a pita. Having a new thread each day would be much simpler IMO so that’s my preference.

Thanks to everybody for voicing opinions civilly, and for being patient with my clumsy attempt to spark collective decision making. And apologies to all our mods for my stirring things up.

No worries, my friend.

A separate thread does indeed make way more sense. I was thinking of a mega thread, but as you stated it gets way too bloated, way too quickly. For the time being I'll try to do a new one daily; we'll see how that goes.

 

[maust]

A mostly thankless job ...
The opinion should have been discussed as a PM .... decorum.
As for resurrected threads ... Ian has established the procedure for that more than a few times.

Just my .03 cents.

And just why is it you get to toss out your 3¢ while the rest of us plebes only get to toss out 2?

 

[IcyPatriot]

And just why is it you get to toss out your 3¢ while the resyt of us plebes only get to toss out 2?

I save all the pennies I see on the ground ... said to be good luck ... so I can spare 3 of them.

 

[Real fan 02]

No worries, my friend.

A separate thread does indeed make way more sense. I was thinking of a mega thread, but as you stated it gets way too bloated, way too quickly. For the time being I'll try to do a new one daily; we'll see how that goes.

@jmt57

I watched some OTAs on the Patriots channel on YouTube.. although it's shorts and T shirts and really hard to gadge. Juju seems as if he's still laboring after each time he ran he seemed to be laboring. Just figured I'd point that out.