ATS, BTS, What would you like to see in the future?, page 39

reply to post by SimonGray

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I"m about as new as it gets Simon.
Nice to meet you by the way.

Here is what I see could be fixed, along with some obvious solutions, and a few additions i think could help.

1)I've notice some Admins are limiting what people can say because they aren't happy with the others view. Abuse of authority was the first thing I noticed here.
Solutions;
Downsize your Administrative force, limit their interaction to fixing problems, and make it mandatory for them to log in as regular users if they care to participate in debate.
A simple language filter script, along with temp bans, will fix the potty mouths real quick.

Suggestions/Additions

Instant messaging for all.
Chat rooms.
Less Admin participation and interaction.

Have a great day!

reply to post by TheFretwalker

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Originally posted by TheFretwalker
1)I've notice some Admins are limiting what people can say because they aren't happy with the others view. Abuse of authority was the first thing I noticed here.

If you see this happening, I'm pretty sure that the administrators would want to know about it. I've seen them overrule some questionable thread shutdowns – there's always a narrow gray area between flaming and just being obnoxious, and it may depend on which moderator gets the post.

But if you see a particular moderator abusing their authority, you could probably report it to Springer or SkepticOverlord by u2u. One of them will probably be by this thread eventually to tell you exactly how best to handle it, but that's my guess in the meantime

Solutions;
Downsize your Administrative force, limit their interaction to fixing problems, and make it mandatory for them to log in as regular users if they care to participate in debate.

There are 69 people in the administrative force according to the board info page. There were 5669 posts in the past 24 hours.

ATS is only the main job for 2 of those 69, I believe: SkepticOverlord and Springer. The forum moderators and supermoderators are all volunteers, and they take the brunt of the everyday post-checking. It doesn't seem overstaffed to me – how many would you recommend?

They also don't moderate threads that they are participating in – if you see a moderator participating in a thread, it is as a member. If they're there as a moderator, you don't see more than "Please keep this discussion civil and on topic." They do also have little white borders they can activate to make it extra-clear that they're posting as members not mods, but they don't always turn them on.

A simple language filter script, along with temp bans, will fix the potty mouths real quick.

Will it also remove off-topic or incendiary posts? Determine whether or not the terms and conditions have been violated? Carry on a u2u conversation with the member whose post was removed to let them know why?

Suggestions/Additions

Instant messaging for all.
Chat rooms.
Less Admin participation and interaction.

There are chat rooms, although I think you have to have made a certain number of posts before you can join them. And u2u is sort of instant-messenger-ish, so we have that too.

I have to wonder how much Admin interaction you could possibly have faced in one day here?

[edit on 12/31/08 by americandingbat]

reply to post by schrodingers dog

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I like the FSME idea but both of those are contingent upon Skeptic's inclination to integrate them into the code...which takes a bit of time and effort not to mention his priority list...

If enough people find it a valid effort, though and post their agreeance, it could happen...

reply to post by TH3ON3

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If enough people find it a valid effort, though and post their agreeance, it could happen...

Regardless of your opinion regarding the ranking (which has fluctuated enough in the past to place us at "5" because of their attempts to perfect the system) I believe I made it clear that if an idea has enough support it will get implemented.

We have a few new forums in the last year precisely because of member support in droves.

reply to post by MemoryShock

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That would be a cool feature. Or it could go in the member list. You can already sort it by Staff, why not FSME. That could say which forum they belong to.

reply to post by MemoryShock

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Who cares about more forums to wade through. More posts to wade through to try and get to the minutia. The short cuts and the ranking order system would keep more people interested in the site which I have to admit I am getting very bored with and the reason I left for several weeks to post and peruse GLP, until I found out it had been sold to someone else (ie government) who were censoring controversial/sensitive threads. At least i believe that is what has happened at GLP. I say that based on threads that were hot and not violating any policy mysteriously disappearing from the placement system.

Bottom line, this site gets boring when we have to work so hard to find the posts/replies by those we really want to read, ie tenured posters/experts/friends/foes, etc. Allowing an option to read posts of our choosing by clicking on the preferred option would keep the site exciting and make it much cleaner, and streamlined. Most of the "normal' members would greatly appreciate this option to read only the replies we really want to read and filter out all the BS.

Every good company should always strive to improve and keep things cutting edge and fresh. a company should try to improve on any flaws noted by the consumers...ie the users members.

reply to post by MemoryShock

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But how do you find the ones who agree? There is no way to order the replies in favor of a particular idea! I guess one of the powers that be here could wade through and write down all the ideas then tabulate by hand.

reply to post by TH3ON3

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Now you are just being obtuse.

If the idea is that important than a thread could be made in BBQ...'with a link'...

This thread is intended for ideas that would help but aren't immediately important...as most of us are here to collaborate on real world ideas and concepts.

You do understand that board implementations don't happen overnight...or are you?

reply to post by MemoryShock

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Well how about putting out an official thread stating which ideas the ptb are thinking of implementing. That would at least placate some of the frustration.

Hey here's an idea, why not allow us to submit ideas and then let the members vote for the ones they like the best.

Man I don't know how I come up with these ideas as obtuse as I am.

reply to post by freakyty

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