Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: TinmanX on August 05, 2007, 05:26:39 PM
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I've been mulling over writing this post since last night. I don't want it t be taken as a criticism in any way but fear that is how it will appear.
I always assumed that HTC had invisible moderators of the forums in the same way that they had invisible moderators in the game. Someone to take care of the messes that appear during the times the staff are not online - like weekends. This appears to not be the case as the threads that should have been hidden/locked/deleted are still here.
While I am in part of the opinion that the community should moderate itself and just let these threads drop out of the limelight, fall by the wayside, it's like putting a bar of chocolate in front of a 2 year old, telling them not to touch it and then leaving the room.
I've been running boards for over 5 years now (many of them very popular - by which I mean over 100,000 members) and each of them has an emergency system in place for occasions where the rules are seriously broken and immediate action needs to be taken when Admins are not online. I admit to be a little shocked to find that one isn't here.
All it would take is one or two active and responsible members be given log in details to an emergencies only Admin account to be used only in extreme circumstances when no HTC staff member is present.
Please don't take this as a criticism, HTC. It's you house and totally not my place to tell you how to keep it. I mean this post as sincere advice from someone who makes a living running similar communities - to be taken or left.
Note: This is not me asking for the job. I don't have the time nor do I feel I fall into the above category.
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You're not alone, Tinmanx.
What gripes me the most is that a lot of the real winning posts take place during the weekend, when the guys at HTC are probably trying to enjoy a few days off.
I keep having visions of Skuzzy getting up on a Monday morning while the sun is not close to rising.. plodding around the kitchen, grabbing a cup of coffee muttering to himself ( in the best rendition of Dunkin' Donuts' " Time to make the donuts.." ) "Time to lock some threads."
It's a shame that the staff of HTC have to spend so much time babysitting the message boards, especially on threads that are so blatently wrong.
I'd much rather know they're spending their time on something productive like helping people with real system problems or.. gasp.. being able to get us some new stuff.
Leave us the special events boards, AH General Discussion, Bug reports, and Technical Help. Shut the rest down.. they cause more trouble than it's worth.
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The O'Club is moderated.
Maybe give them access to General.
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Tin's right...
I'm kinda curious to see what happens' tomorrow morning.
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Originally posted by FrodeMk3
Tin's right...
I'm kinda curious to see what happens' tomorrow morning.
I could see beaver and snubby getting PNGed.
Originally posted by Apdrone
What gripes me the most is that a lot of the real winning posts take place during the weekend, when the guys at HTC are probably trying to enjoy a few days off.
The only reason you see these posts on the weekend is b/c 99% of these threads are stopped before they get out of hand by HTC staff. I give them a huge WTG for keeping these boards looking good :aok :aok :aok
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When I wake up and check out the BBs tomorrow morning I expect a hurricane named Skuzzy will have blown through.
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God I hope so.
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The skuzzy hurricane just hit the H2H forum. :rofl
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<-----I THINK ALL SUBJECTS WILL BE ARREST AND BANNED.
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Originally posted by APDrone
Leave us the special events boards, AH General Discussion, Bug reports, and Technical Help. Shut the rest down.. they cause more trouble than it's worth.
I think Aircraft and Vehicles, Custom Sounds and Skins, and Films and Screenshots are worthwhile too. These posts can be made in ANY of these places. But the above three I mentioned, I believe, add greatly to the community.
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Originally posted by SuperTrooper
I THINK ALL SUBJECTS WILL BE ARREST AND BANNED.
:confused:
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Something tells me that a number of BBS habitues will be getting an upclose and personal email from Herr Skuzzmeister this morning. :aok
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Originally posted by Max
Something tells me that a number of BBS habitues will be getting an upclose and personal email from Herr Skuzzmeister this morning. :aok
Haha :aok I do agree with Tin though..
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The Oclub is actually better behaved than general discussions (didnt use to be imo). That can be because of mods there or because general discussion forum has more game/"cheat"/igotshotdownandwhineaboutit type oriented talk. ;)
I post mostly in the oclub and only (usually) read this forum, and the type of person that usually post in both are completly different.
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The ARDB
Anti Rambling Drunk Brigade
:aok
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I nominate Hub and Megadud for General Discussion moderators.
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Well, now I know better than to EVER go into the h2h forum. And I thought the O'Club was retarded. Whew.
H2H is a waste of resources for HTC, imho.
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Check the thread from HTC in the H2H forum.
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Good riddance.
HTC
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Originally posted by scottydawg
Good riddance.
HTC
They couldn't hack it. A few bad apples ruined it for the good ones. I DO feel bad for the good ones.
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Originally posted by Masherbrum
They couldn't hack it. A few bad apples ruined it for the good ones. I DO feel bad for the good ones.
Agreed.
Bronk
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Originally posted by scottydawg
Well, now I know better than to EVER go into the h2h forum. And I thought the O'Club was retarded. Whew.
H2H is a waste of resources for HTC, imho.
It does feel like a Commercial for Riddilin in there but, IIRC, aren't H2H rooms hosted on the users machine instead of server space from HTC?
:)
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Originally posted by REP0MAN
It does feel like a Commercial for Riddilin in there but, IIRC, aren't H2H rooms hosted on the users machine instead of server space from HTC?
:)
That's correct, so the rooms are NO drain on HT whatsoever--one must presume they are for advertising/passing the good word about this game. IT would seem that isn't happening so much, so why should HT extend its good will any further?
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Originally posted by bj229r
That's correct, so the rooms are NO drain on HT whatsoever--one must presume they are for advertising/passing the good word about this game. IT would seem that isn't happening so much, so why should HT extend its good will any further?
I would say moreso that the 2 week free trial is the advertising part. The H2H is the freeloading part... although I could see it as a useful tool maybe for squads or practice etc. for paying members with a little further development.
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LOL! HTC does not need some BBS nazi on all the time. If you see a post or subject that violates the rules, report it and go back to having fun, eventually HTC staff will deal with the matter and offender(s) as they see fit.
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Yay! I sure am glad to see that this occurs so that HiTech will devote his resources to address the problem instead of game development and inevitably delay the release of the B25...
Wait.....
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Originally posted by AAolds
LOL! HTC does not need some BBS nazi on all the time. If you see a post or subject that violates the rules, report it and go back to having fun, eventually HTC staff will deal with the matter and offender(s) as they see fit.
I see, kinda like a ".report cpid" kinda thing....hmmm...Nothin could go wrong with that!
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Of course things can wrong with any system, but it is just stupid that people get all worked up over subjects and posting, let HTC get worked up over it, we pay to play, not moderate. I now return you to your regularly scheduled argument.
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Well, I don't know about you, but I know I'd rather have the money I pay go to improving the game and enhancing features than spending hours babysitting a bunch of ill-behaved children on a bulletin board.
That's just me though. YMMV.
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Originally posted by AAolds
Of course things can wrong with any system, but it is just stupid that people get all worked up over subjects and posting, let HTC get worked up over it, we pay to play, not moderate. I now return you to your regularly scheduled argument.
Like I said, I run many forums on many different subjects on the Internet. It's my job and I've been doing it successfully for many, many years. It is insane to think that I personally have time to view and vet every post made 24-7. I don't nor will I ever be able to. Instead I recruit from the community members who have shown themselves to be honest, reliable and put the needs of the community first. It's a system that works across every board I have built. Members do it for the community and do it responsibly.
No-one can expect the staff of HTC to be here all the time which is why I made the suggestion. It has nothing to do with being a 'Nazi' - which btw is probably the most ridiculous thing I've heard. It has everything to do with protecting HTC's business and letting a community do what communities do best - police themselves.
"we pay to play, not moderate" - It's this kind of statement that makes me wonder what you're here for. Do skinners pay to skin? Do map makers pay to map? Do CM's pay to create scenario's for us to play in? No. They do it for us for nothing. They do it to give back to the community of AH.
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Originally posted by TinmanX
Like I said, I run many forums on many different subjects on the Internet. It's my job and I've been doing it successfully for many, many years. It is insane to think that I personally have time to view and vet every post made 24-7. I don't nor will I ever be able to. Instead I recruit from the community members who have shown themselves to be honest, reliable and put the needs of the community first. It's a system that works across every board I have built. Members do it for the community and do it responsibly.
No-one can expect the staff of HTC to be here all the time which is why I made the suggestion. It has nothing to do with being a 'Nazi' - which btw is probably the most ridiculous thing I've heard. It has everything to do with protecting HTC's business and letting a community do what communities do best - police themselves.
"we pay to play, not moderate" - It's this kind of statement that makes me wonder what you're here for. Do skinners pay to skin? Do map makers pay to map? Do CM's pay to create scenario's for us to play in? No. They do it for us for nothing. They do it to give back to the community of AH.
Spot on.
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Originally posted by TinmanX
Like I said, I run many forums on many different subjects on the Internet. It's my job and I've been doing it successfully for many, many years. It is insane to think that I personally have time to view and vet every post made 24-7. I don't nor will I ever be able to. Instead I recruit from the community members who have shown themselves to be honest, reliable and put the needs of the community first. It's a system that works across every board I have built. Members do it for the community and do it responsibly.
No-one can expect the staff of HTC to be here all the time which is why I made the suggestion. It has nothing to do with being a 'Nazi' - which btw is probably the most ridiculous thing I've heard. It has everything to do with protecting HTC's business and letting a community do what communities do best - police themselves.
"we pay to play, not moderate" - It's this kind of statement that makes me wonder what you're here for. Do skinners pay to skin? Do map makers pay to map? Do CM's pay to create scenario's for us to play in? No. They do it for us for nothing. They do it to give back to the community of AH.
Most of us in this game know the deal, mess up too much and HTC will deal with ya. This dealing with usually happens as a result of players reporting offenses, which I suggested people keep doing.
As to your questioning of my being here, I am not here to be a babysitter for others, I am here for MY enjoyment, hence why I pay.
To your statement that being a BBS Nazi is the most ridiculous thing you've heard....I suggest getting out more often--there is plenty going on and being said that is truly ridiculous.
HTC can better protect the business by spending time and resources on improving the game itself and fixing bugs n such. The BBS works fine, as far as content goes, let HTC staff deal with it.
Honestly Tinman, I do not support active players becoming "moderators" as some would just let it go to their head and make things worse in my opinon as a whole new set of accusations would be thrown around on top of the current ones that constantly fly around.
If it aint broke, don't fix it.
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Originally posted by AAolds
Honestly Tinman, I do not support active players becoming "moderators" as some would just let it go to their head and make things worse in my opinon as a whole new set of accusations would be thrown around on top of the current ones that constantly fly around.
I'm disheartened to find you have such a low opinion of the members of this community. Out of curiosity, what group of people do you think makes up the In-Game Moderators? It's responsible, active and trust-worthy members of the community, hand picked by HTC and given limited powers and anonymity. Exactly what I'm suggesting here.
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Originally posted by AAolds
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If it aint broke, don't fix it.
But it IS broken.
If it wasn't broken, you'd NEVER see a locked thread. You'd NEVER see 'last edited by Skuzzy'.
"Let HTC staff handle it."
No.. I'd rather they give us terrain editing tools that are easier to use, new planes, revised graphics, more loadout options, better mission editors, GV water/shore transition bug fixes, CM arena tools and settings options... etc ad nausem.
Why rely on the HTC staff to fix stuff that is only an issue because people are either too lazy to read the rules or so arrogant they consider themselves above the rules and don't follow them?
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Originally posted by TinmanX
I'm disheartened to find you have such a low opinion of the members of this community. Out of curiosity, what group of people do you think makes up the In-Game Moderators? It's responsible, active and trust-worthy members of the community, hand picked by HTC and given limited powers and anonymity. Exactly what I'm suggesting here.
Your suggestion as stated above has the best chance of succeeding. Regardless, I'm not very concerned over the current status of the BBS, it seems to work fine and when problem thread do pop up, they get dealt with. Perhaps not as fast as all would like, but its not like HT just ignores the BBS, perhaps too busy at times, but it does get attention.
Overall, I have a blast playing, reading and posting. I can't wait to get back from my business trip so I can play again.
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Originally posted by APDrone
But it IS broken.
If it wasn't broken, you'd NEVER see a locked thread. You'd NEVER see 'last edited by Skuzzy'.
"Let HTC staff handle it."
No.. I'd rather they give us terrain editing tools that are easier to use, new planes, revised graphics, more loadout options, better mission editors, GV water/shore transition bug fixes, CM arena tools and settings options... etc ad nausem.
Why rely on the HTC staff to fix stuff that is only an issue because people are either too lazy to read the rules or so arrogant they consider themselves above the rules and don't follow them?
(http://FilthsHangar.homestead.com/hitnail.jpg)