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Nixon
06-30-2006, 06:31 PM
Suggestion: No more selective topic moving in the playground.

First of all, let's knock out one of the main reasons I've been given for the implementation of this topic-moving "rule." Apparently, there is a fear that the playground will become the only place where members post.

The free forum (like all the other high traffic forums) will never die. Worries that everyone will only post in the playground, thus "killing" the free forum, are completely unfounded. In the 5+ years the site has been in operation, the free forum, even in times of little traffic, gets multiple daily posts and continues to be actively maintained. It hasn't been killed yet, and I seriously doubt it will "die off" anytime in the near future.

Now, on to the gist of my argument.

Most of the playground members are older, more mature members of the forums. Most of us have been regulars on the site for 3-5+ years. Many of us have submitted full games and been a part of the community in a way that promotes and encourages activity with the legal RPGmakers.

Hopefully by now we've earned a little repect. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. I don't feel that we should be "punished" by being treated as if we can't make our own decisions as to where we would like to create our topics of discussion.

As demonstrated in my topic, "$20.00," there is no way the admins or mods can know 100% of the time if there is or isn't a legitimate reason the topic creator wants the topic in the playground. Any topic's subject matter could be prone to the whim of a select few people with varying opinions on the topic of what should and shouldn't be moved. :p

The playground is designated as a private forum, to be utilized for immature/mature discussions. That covers just about anything and everything, doesn't it? I'm sure anyone could come up with several logical reasons they want any particular topic to remain in the playground. This reiterates the idea that topic moving is pointless. All it does is create the potential for misunderstandings and bad blood between the members. It's also a waste of everyone's time.

If I want a topic to be in a private forum simply because it's NOT a public forum, I shouldn't have to say that every time. It's a GIVEN, seeing as how the forum is private and requires admission. If I wanted to post something in a public forum, I wouldn't have put it in the playground.

Hopefully due to a through explaination here, I won't have to further explain my actions or continue to justify my reasons each time I make a topic in the playground. I don't feel like I should have to worry about writing out some pointless explanation every time a topic is seen as being "unworthy" of the playground "rules." If in the future, it's still an issue, I'll just quote this text whenever I make a topic there.

Again, I feel very strongly that we shouldn't have to explain ourselves everytime we feel a topic we made should stay in the playground. I see the whole thing as being quite insulting, because it sends me the message that I am too stupid to know where I want to post a particular topic. When topics I make in the playground are moved to the free forum, it makes me feel angry and less inclined to support the site and the admins/mods in the future. It also makes me feel like I am not a valued member of this community.

My suggestion is this: I believe topics in the playground should stay there, no matter what, unless the topic creator accidentally creates the topic in the wrong forum (I have rarely seen this happen). I think the selective topic moving should be axed, and there should be no more "rules" in place in regards to what is and isn't a "kosher" topic in the playground.

YOU READ IT, YOU CAN'T UN-READ IT.

PS: If there is a concern that more of the older members are "retreating" to the playground, then perhaps we should take a minute and ask ourselves "why?" Maybe it's because most of the people who have frequented this site for years are getting older, and thus want a "free forum" where we can discuss ANYTHING (mature, immature) without having to worry about little kids or parents reading and/or complaining.

Since we won't ever be able to have the same freedom in the free forum (how ironic), the playground will always be a more appealing option. If it wasn't here, I know I wouldn't post as much. But that doesn't mean I'll ever stop posting in the free forum.

Valkysas
07-01-2006, 12:44 AM
I'll talk to mora about this. we'll announce what we decide after we talk.

and there should be no more "rules" in place in regards to what is and isn't a "kosher" topic in the playground.
That will never happen. the playground is always going to have some restrictions, which (unfortunately to some) are based on me and mora's personal feelings of what is and what isnt acceptable.

If the rule about moving topics is changed, it will be done so on a trial basis. If we come to see it as a problem, where a lot of topics that genuinely have no reason at all for being in the playground are showing up there, and dont fall under the "I didnt want this public because ___________" excuse, then the rule will be changed back.

the one thing me and mora dont understand too well about the "this is personal, I didnt want it in public" thing is that the playground IS pretty damn public. anyone of an acceptable age who wants in can get in. 90% of the free forum population has playground access. So we really dont understand that distinction. feel free to try and explain it better to us, though.

Nixon
07-01-2006, 12:56 AM
Okay. It's not as public a forum as say, a forum where anyone, even guests and non-registered members, can view topics.

Thanks for the consideration.

Oh, and when I said the thing you quoted about the rules, I was saying that in reference to topic moving only, not content in general.

If we come to see it as a problem, where a lot of topics that genuinely have no reason at all for being in the playground are showing up there, and dont fall under the "I didnt want this public because ___________" excuse, then the rule will be changed back.


I still don't see why we need to prune topics at all if it's obvious that the playground and the topics posted therein pose no threat to the free forum and/or other forums.

Valkysas
07-01-2006, 04:45 PM
We've discussed it, and decided not to change PG forum rule #1.

The playground forum serves a specific purpose, and that purpose is not as an alternative or less restricted free forum. it's purpose is to allow the posting of topics and links that would otherwise violate forum rules.

However, we will be more selective about moving topics from now on. Anything posted in the playground that seems like it could be the least bit personal will not be moved. but stuff like the "where is the lid to my alchohol" topic, or RPGDesigner's topic where he just quotes a few lines from an AIM conversation will be moved.

Nixon
07-01-2006, 05:06 PM
Ok.