A thread to complain about the small issues of the escapist forums.

[Sassafrass]

[

SNORK

I can see it bothering people who inflate their post counts. Though, not sure if any of those folks are around anymore. My theory is, it would cut down on the issues you listed while also encouraging more content rich posts. Since there would be no way to +1 at that point, members would either have to make decent posts or risk the low content rule. On the flip side, I can see that possibly hampering forum activity too.

One was. Spammed a user group, got banned, life moved on. XD

But yeah, there's none of those around and I don't think there was any to begin with. Although you've been in the main forums more often than I have over our time here, so I may have missed it. And it might hamper the forum activity a little but I see only the odd low content post around anyway. The only people I can see it bothering is those who just glance at the forums/topic and make a quick post before having to go to work or something like that.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Not sure I get the gripe with join date though. I haven't seen anyone really use that in a harmful way.

Let me attempt to!

Your join date is two months before me, so you're old! And all the bad things that come with being an old member on a forum. You oldie! In terms of the forum you are this...

Yeah, I'm not good at it =P

 

[Basement Cat]

Wait, what?

What do you mean by autoplay videos? I suppose they just start playing without your commando? If so, that has never happened to me on this site, which is weird.

I think "all over the forum" is a bit much, I don't think the code has really caught on, yet. But I love the autoplay and time selection features.

You may have problems with autoplay but lately I've been having trouble with hitting spoilers like you have in your post and nothing popping up--it just becomes one thin and long empty rectangle.

Would any of you happen to know why?


OT: Threads with deliberately vague titles are my biggest pet peeve. Beyond that I'm mostly live and let live.

Except for the foul language, sometimes. I don't mind it for the most part, I'm hardly prudish, but some people curse so much that I find myself wanting to Post them the tongue in cheek warning: "You know, it's not healthy to use your entire vocabulary in a single sentence."







Captcha: filthy dirty mess

Dunno, Captcha. I haven't actually seen Dags90's spoiler yet...

 

[Basement Cat]

When two people ***** and ***** and ***** and ***** and ***** and so on. Often their argument goes off topic and slowly becomes more personal, whilst there's the odd post relating to the OP in the midst of the two arguers. Guys/girls, learn to drop it. It doesn't matter if you think they're wrong, you won't solve anything by whinging at each other for 2 pages.

Are you referencing those two that went on for a whole 2 pages about whether one was being dishonest or not? I won't say his name because he knows who he is if he's reading this but he's got a knack of crying LIAR at everything and then going way off topic.

Anywho, back to browsing teh webz.

What, you mean Mortai? He's been banned so you're safe with a name drop.

Shame. I actually enjoyed reading his normal posts when he wasn't calling dishonesty on everyone with an opinion.

So it finally happened, huh?

I wondered how long he could hold on while snarking on people. Funny, but it only was his avatar having a smarmy smirk that actually annoyed me. As a general rule I don't feed Those Who Live Under Bridges people who try to poke others into losing their tempers.

OT: I don't have a problem with the User Counts. As for the people who run theirs up to astronomical heights I just glance at their "Joined XXXX " and shrug off anyone who's run up 10K worth of posts in three or four weeks. It's not hard to figure out where they spend their time.

 

[ResonanceSD]

"I have x,xxx number of posts, all from forum games! Worship me!"*

[sub]* probably called something else, but you get the idea[/sub]

I just..don't..get it.


Oh and all of the "x platform is better than all other platform because of [reasons]" threads. We'r e all gamers here. That's the point.

Oh and brony support threads. We get it, you like MLP.

Oh and brony hater threads. We get that too, you do not like MLP.

 

[DugMachine]

I wish people would finish their titles. Half titles to lure you into the thread piss me off.

Also, you guys don't know anything about music. It can be frustrating.

How does one "know music"? I like music, I listen to it. I like certain bands, and dislike other bands. What more is there to get? I'm not going to be a world famous composer of classical music so there is no "know" for us mere peasants.

 

[Lyri]

Wow do people really care about post count that much? Apart from anything else, I would have thought that forum "celebrities" are known more by their name and avatar than their post count and join date. Especially when post count can be easily inflated by Forum Games and User Groups and the only time I've ever seen join date be a thing was that fun Oldscapist thread. That wasn't even an issue, just a bit of fun. But hey, the Internet surprises me again.

For the record, "celebrity" or not, they all get the same treatment from the mods. If anything then what Vigormortis said is true. Users don't report them. However...

To be fair, I've rarely seen the "forum celebrities" (christ I hate that term) actually say or do anything worth reporting in the first place

This. Off the top of my head I can think of only 4 people who you would class as "celebrities"[footnote]Yes I am still using air quotes for that word because the idea of a celebrity is someone made famous by the community they partake in. Yet it's always bandied about as close to an insult to be known on a site you post on. Despite the fact that it's the very users who complain about them who are the ones who make them "famous"[/footnote]. Neonbob, Sassafrass, Aylaine and Daystar. All 4 of which I've never seen in a stupid argument calling other users names or being idiots to the point where moderation is needed. They are just posters who, if anything, exemplify what every other forum member should aspire (for lack of a better word) to. Either being posters who partake in genuine discussions, are generally nice and welcoming to other users, or are just a bit mental and want to have some fun while still inside the site rules.

Yeah if they broke any site rules then I'd still bash them round the head the same as any other user. But until they do that they aren't hurting anyone.

Yes I do care about the post count that much because it's utterly pointless to see anyway, there is no real benefit of having it and the forum goers seem to laud over the person who has the highest count.
Once it was Bob and now it is Clarion and whilst I don't mind someone having the highest count because someone ultimately will but they get the fanbase and the "Ooh they have the highest count".
Even people who don't necessarily have the highest but get some kind of explosive increase get noticed over the number under their avatar, perhaps it's because of their near constant interaction with the members of the forum but seriously, it needs to stop that we applaud the counter.
If it just disappeared it would be a lot better, no reason to keep any kind of number visible at all as keeping it visible anywhere in a reduced rate will still give people the chance to continue this trend.

Despite the fact that it's the very users who complain about them who are the ones who make them "famous"

Where on earth did you pull that gem from?
All I can imagine now is some kind of "haters gonna hate thing", it really isn't that.

Of those 4 celebrities I could only justify one and yes even Alyaines sunshine and smiles really annoyed me sometimes because it seemed like she was trying just that little bit too hard, but that's me after all and I'm a tad cynical.
She was actually doing something nobody had really done before and it promoted a positive wave across the forum, we even got a new section because of it.
A round of applause was justified for her.

The rest of them?
Do remind me of their stella contributions other than being in the post count pumping station known as forum games?
The rest of the time it's spent derailing threads with their friends and it is really irritating to watch it go on and on.

NeonBob actually made great posts outside of the Forum Games when he did show up but there was always half a page of "spot the neonbob" crap.
Every time, thaaarr she blows.

They are just posters who, if anything, exemplify what every other forum member should aspire

Riiiiiiiight.

In some cases yes and in some cases please god no, the usual crowd derailing threads is bad enough.

If 2/3 were disabled, then post counts would drop to normal levels again. The old methods wouldn't work so people would need to make quality posts or not make them at all, due to low content rules. I couldn't see any rush going on because it would require much more effort at that point.

I don't see any reason to keep it, why reduce it at all if that is the case?
I could still spam the main forums with utter garbage like most people do and wrack up a high number for people to stare at.

It doesn't really change anything, it just makes the number on the screen smaller but the same thing will just go on.
It's as black and white as keep it or don't, really.

 

[Fappy]

Neonbob, Sassafrass, Aylaine and Daystar.

I didn't make TimeLord's celebrity countdown? This is what I get for changing my avatar.

Whelp, there's nothing like getting a DUI and mouthing off to an officer about some awful antisemitic allegations to get your face back in the tabloids!

 

[CaptainKoala]

NO SPIDERMAN, THIS IS ONE THREAD YOU WILL NOT TAKE

OT: The Captcha's are annoying, the newer one's that are just ads you have to interact with.

EDIT: Sorry whoever I quoted, I meant to click on a different post.

 

[DugMachine]

I wish people would finish their titles. Half titles to lure you into the thread piss me off.

Also, you guys don't know anything about music. It can be frustrating.

How does one "know music"? I like music, I listen to it. I like certain bands, and dislike other bands. What more is there to get? I'm not going to be a world famous composer of classical music so there is no "know" for us mere peasants.

Did I give you permission to talk to me?

Sorry Grand Master of music

 

[AsurasEyes]

People are too civil. No one around here is trollish enough.

 

[DugMachine]

I'm not talking about opinions here. I think you guys do have bad taste in music but I didn't bring that up at first because, you know, subjectivity. I'm talking blatantly unambiguously wrong statements like "Rush is one of the earliest prog bands" or "My Chemical Romance is emo" or "All rap sounds the same" or "The Wall is a good album".

Alright that's fair enough. I'm also pretty strict when it comes to genres and such and don't like mislabeling.

 

[Basement Cat]

Wow do people really care about post count that much? Apart from anything else, I would have thought that forum "celebrities" are known more by their name and avatar than their post count and join date. Especially when post count can be easily inflated by Forum Games and User Groups and the only time I've ever seen join date be a thing was that fun Oldscapist thread. That wasn't even an issue, just a bit of fun. But hey, the Internet surprises me again.

For the record, "celebrity" or not, they all get the same treatment from the mods. If anything then what Vigormortis said is true. Users don't report them. However...

To be fair, I've rarely seen the "forum celebrities" (christ I hate that term) actually say or do anything worth reporting in the first place

This. Off the top of my head I can think of only 4 people who you would class as "celebrities". Neonbob, Sassafrass, Aylaine and Daystar. All 4 of which I've never seen in a stupid argument calling other users names or being idiots to the point where moderation is needed. They are just posters who, if anything, exemplify what every other forum member should aspire (for lack of a better word) to. Either being posters who partake in genuine discussions, are generally nice and welcoming to other users, or are just a bit mental and want to have some fun while still inside the site rules.

Yeah if they broke any site rules then I'd still bash them round the head the same as any other user. But until they do that they aren't hurting anyone.

Yes I do care about the post count that much because it's utterly pointless to see anyway, there is no real benefit of having it and the forum goers seem to laud over the person who has the highest count.
Once it was Bob and now it is Clarion and whilst I don't mind someone having the highest count because someone ultimately will but they get the fanbase and the "Ooh they have the highest count".

I'm a bit surprised to hear such venom from you Lyri. I lurked for 2 or 3 years before I set up an account with the Escapist and while I did notice some of the posters--specifically Daystar and Fappy--more than others in both cases it was:

1st: Because of their avatars--animated and cute.
2nd: Because other posters kept joking around with them and referring to them.

I never came across a single instant where people were making a big deal about how many posts either of them made. In fact I don't recall the subject of the number of anybody's number of posts being discussed, much less 'lauded' by others.

I've got to side (though it goes against the grain to agree with "The Man") with TimeLord and with anthonly87, when they say that most of the "celebrities" are careful to mind what they say. I've made a point of checking up on some people's profiles (for various reasons, mostly curiosity) and I've noticed that the ones who've been here longest and have the higher post counts tend to be the ones who obey the rules.

Frankly I like the Post Counts because it gives a sense of depth and continuity. I've often had technical questions (and questions in general) and being able to simply glance at someone's Post Count gives me a feel for whether they might know what they're talking about or are likely just throwing out 'advice'.

I agree with Aylaine that removing the Forum Games and Role Playing forums from the Post Counts would easily balance things out.

Don't remove the Post Count though, Mods. I enjoy watching mine slowly climb and seeing the system calling me different things (Press Junkrteer, Muckraker, etc).

Though I should be titled "The Grand High Pooh-Bah" since that's my title in Escapist City. ***sniff***

EDIT: Question for you TimeLord: How do I get my proper title posted?

 

[White Lightning]

The fact that my badges never are shown how I want them to be. I've tried ten goddamn times but IT NEVER WORKS. LOOK AT THESE BADGES, DO YOU THINK I WANT THESE!!?! I DON'T!!!

All the codes for posting should have buttons instead of me having to try and remember them. Like posting pictures and youtube videos and the spoiler tags and all the other ones. I mean look at all this space in this text box area, LOOK AT IT. THERE IS SO MUCH, JUST PUT SOME BUTTONS THERE.

 

[Lyri]

I'm a bit surprised to hear such venom from you Lyri.

Why?

I lurked for 2 or 3 years before I set up an account with the Escapist and while I did notice some of the posters--specifically Daystar and Fappy--more than others in both cases it was:

1st: Because of their avatars--animated and cute.
2nd: Because other posters kept joking around with them and referring to them.

I never came across a single instant where people were making a big deal about how many posts either of them made. In fact I don't recall the subject of the number of anybody's number of posts being discussed, much less 'lauded' by others.

It bounced around for a while from person to person, I distinctly remember people making a fuss over someone catching up to Neonbob when he had an extraordinary number.
I also remember Vaudevillian Veteran having the highest count for a while too, then apparently Daystar took over.
It does go around.

I've got to side (though it goes against the grain to agree with "The Man") with TimeLord and with anthonly87, when they say that most of the "celebrities" are careful to mind what they say. I've made a point of checking up on some people's profiles (for various reasons, mostly curiosity) and I've noticed that the ones who've been here longest and have the higher post counts tend to be the ones who obey the rules.

It was never a question of them being mean or obnoxious and that is in part the problem, whilst they maybe rather nice people as a whole they are still derailing threads with wanton abandon.

Frankly I like the Post Counts because it gives a sense of depth and continuity. I've often had technical questions (and questions in general) and being able to simply glance at someone's Post Count gives me a feel for whether they might know what they're talking about or are likely just throwing out 'advice'.

This right is another reason why post count should be gone.
You advocate keeping it and yet you already rank people by the number, the higher it is the more likely they are to have a better opinion.
Is this why you were surprised to see such "venom" from me?

I have been slapped on the wrist numerous times for posts, I don't regret any of them.

Don't remove the Post Count though, Mods. I enjoy watching mine slowly climb and seeing the system calling me different things(Press Junkrteer, Muckraker, etc).

By all means, keep the titles just lose the digits.

 

[Basement Cat]

I'm a bit surprised to hear such venom from you Lyri.

Why?

Frankly I like the Post Counts because it gives a sense of depth and continuity. I've often had technical questions (and questions in general) and being able to simply glance at someone's Post Count gives me a feel for whether they might know what they're talking about or are likely just throwing out 'advice'.

This right is another reason why post count should be gone.
You advocate keeping it and yet you already rank people by the number, the higher it is the more likely they are to have a better opinion.

1. It's the intensity more than your stance on the matter. I've only read a few of your posts before. You sound quite...intense, as I said. It's like the subject of post #'s really gets under your skin.

2. It's not about ranking anyone higher or lower than others but having something to reference in addition to someone's joining date to get an idea as to whether they've been around and have been involved enough--not just lurking, I've learned more since joining than I did in the years I spent lurking--to probably know what they're talking about rather than someone who just joined up and may just be a big mouth.

Don't tell me you haven't run into Know-It-All's before. I remember one on a science site I used to visit who talked big but didn't know squat. Ugh! Annoying, to put it lightly.

 

[Lyri]

1. It's the intensity more than your stance on the matter. I've only read a few of your posts before. You sound quite...intense, as I said. It's like the subject of post #'s really gets under your skin.

I just checked how long I've been lurking here before I joined, I browsed the forums without an account for years before I decided to make one.
The first video I saw was the Halo 3 ZP back in 2007, the site then and now are two different beasts.

I liked one and I dislike the other.

2. It's not about ranking anyone higher or lower than others but having something to reference in addition to someone's joining date to get an idea as to whether they've been around and have been involved enough--not just lurking, I've learned more since joining than I did in the years I spent lurking--to probably know what they're talking about rather than someone who just joined up and may just be a big mouth.

Don't tell me you haven't run into Know-It-All's before. I remember one on a science site I used to visit who talked big but didn't know squat. Ugh! Annoying, to put it lightly.

Yes but you do rank people and use that number as a yard stick to see if their opinion is of worth.
It doesn't really make a difference, some people will talk trash and some people will know what they're talking about and a figure under their avatar doesn't represent that.
The fact I have Baiken from Guilty Gear X doesn't mean I know squat about the game, I used to own it and I thought she was nifty that's about it, but if you asked me anything about it I couldn't tell you much without copying stuff from google searches.

My near 5k posts doesn't make my opinion more correct than yours.