Improving DSF - Please leave constructive feedback

Kody · #1 July 15, 2008, 8:10 PM

Hey everyone,

This is an announcement, mixed with a request for feedback.
As everyone here knows, forum activity has dropped greatly over the past weeks and months, this is due to a number of things.

You could spend all day pointing fingers, but in the end pretty much everyone is guilty, even in some small way, including myself.

But, I'm a strong believer in the fact that when mistakes are made, you need to apologize for them and find a way to move on. Dwelling in the past and not the present is a very, very bad thing. Considering you can do nothing to change the past.

Here's the plan.

We want to make DSF better than it's ever been before.
That means, new rules, new ways of treating people, new mod and user guidelines we'll be enforcing.
If you want to help DSF, please leave some feedback here with what you'd like to see changed and or done with the forums in the future.

The process has started, it's only a matter of time now.
We need a united community that is willing to put the past, even the recent past, behind them and be mature about the future.

I don't want to see anyone making sniping or flaming comments about events that happened in the past, you'll be warned if you do such things and continue to repeat the offense. Move on.

Thank you.

James P. · #2 July 15, 2008, 8:16 PM

I cannot stay away knowing I wouldn't be helping this noble cause. I agree to forgive and forget. As my grandma would say, "Let's start over, how are you today?"
Grandmas-- We need to listen when they're speaking. They may just give you a new hope.

I'm willing to start over, how 'bout you?

Kody · #3 July 15, 2008, 8:44 PM

Thank you for the support, James.

Everyone, please pass this news on to friends that are members here and encourage them to come post their thoughts, feelings and ideas.
As long as it's in a mature and constructive manner.

Superkid11 · #4 July 16, 2008, 11:17 AM

Forgive me if I have very little confidence in this. Here's one thing:

1. James is quite inherently annoying. It's not his fault, but none of us can help our reactions. However, if he sticks around this will stop. Ronnie used to do this to some of us, but that stopped. If James simply sticks around and we do clean up our act slightly, it'll be easier for him to adjust to us if he sees us as worth it.
(Honestly though James, I still think you should go elsewhere on the internet. I seriously doubt we're going to lose much of our collective harshness.)

2. Danny's behavior lately.
The problem wasn't just RV, it was Danny himself. While he is definitely not as unflappable and trolltastic as RV was, Danny has become pretty elitist. When I say "elitist"... well, just look at the "favorite episode" topic. Disliking said episodes is one thing, but he made fun of those who thought differently. I do find Danny's opinions and thoughts a good read, I've read over his whole review of Last of the Time Lords and others to understand his views on the new series and in Doctor Who in general. But I feel he takes it far too seriously. Having opinions is one thing but just look over the "favorite episodes" topic and tell me that isn't pure elitism. I myself have even downplayed my enjoyment of some episodes of the new series out of fear of criticism for it. (Though I've been pretty honest about it recently.)
He now condones behavior that was once discouraged, like Chris said a while back. I think if we're to clean up our act, Danny himself has to to some degree.
(I say Doctor Who specifically because I haven't noticed this behavior on any other subject. WELL... aside from Apple and stuff.)

Don't get me wrong, aside from all this he's been a good admin and friend. But this is a very serious contribution to the decay of the site.
I could even say the same for RV, aside from his often mean and irritating nature he was a brilliant and funny person to talk to.

James P. · #5 July 16, 2008, 11:27 AM

Well, I agree with superkid on Danny. Myself... kinda. Danny really has become very rude. I don't think the webmaster on any website should act like that at all. Unless it was a website dedicated to being rude. I do think Danny is very nice when he wants to be, I appreciate that, but we need to see more of that side!

Kody · #6 July 16, 2008, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Superkid11

Forgive me if I have very little confidence in this. Here's one thing:

Thank you for posting Super.

I do hope we can give you some faith back, I'm working hand in hand with Chris, Danny and others to try and start turning things around as we speak, it isn't some weak little attempt.

Originally Posted by Superkid11

1. James is quite inherently annoying. It's not his fault, but none of us can help our reactions. However, if he sticks around this will stop. Ronnie used to do this to some of us, but that stopped. If James simply sticks around and we do clean up our act slightly, it'll be easier for him to adjust to us if he sees us as worth it.
(Honestly though James, I still think you should go elsewhere on the internet. I seriously doubt we're going to lose much of our collective harshness.)

James is free to stay, if he wishes, we'll try and be as nice as possible and let him integrate himself as he sees fit. He's also free to go somewhere else of his choosing, *shrug*

Many of these things will be covered in the new rules. We'll be nice and try to help people settle in, but there is a limit.

Originally Posted by Superkid11

2. Danny's behavior lately.
The problem wasn't just RV, it was Danny himself. While he is definitely not as unflappable and trolltastic as RV was, Danny has become pretty elitist. When I say "elitist"... well, just look at the "favorite episode" topic. Disliking said episodes is one thing, but he made fun of those who thought differently. I do find Danny's opinions and thoughts a good read, I've read over his whole review of Last of the Time Lords and others to understand his views on the new series and in Doctor Who in general. But I feel he takes it far too seriously. Having opinions is one thing but just look over the "favorite episodes" topic and tell me that isn't pure elitism. I myself have even downplayed my enjoyment of some episodes of the new series out of fear of criticism for it. (Though I've been pretty honest about it recently.)
He now condones behavior that was once discouraged, like Chris said a while back. I think if we're to clean up our act, Danny himself has to to some degree.
(I say Doctor Who specifically because I haven't noticed this behavior on any other subject. WELL... aside from Apple and stuff.)

Don't get me wrong, aside from all this he's been a good admin and friend. But this is a very serious contribution to the decay of the site.
I could even say the same for RV, aside from his often mean and irritating nature he was a brilliant and funny person to talk to.

I can't speak for Danny, but I think many of us had strong reactions to the last few Doctor Who episodes. This is a personal thing, but still. I can see the constructive points you were trying to make and the new rules/etc should help us all curb our ranting a bit.

That said, stating your opinion in a well thought out and posted manner will be heartily encouraged, people just have to learn to respect each other. In that same thread others resorted to name calling and flaming for no good reason, it goes both ways. We'll be trying to appease both sides.

Bring on the ideas.

James P. · #7 July 16, 2008, 12:59 PM

My concerns-
1.) RatSouffle's avatar. Just an epileptic seizure and him getting a lawsuit waiting to happen. Change it. I'm looking out for you, Rat.
2.) Our reactions to others' posts.

Kody · #8 July 16, 2008, 1:03 PM

Originally Posted by James P.

My concerns-
1.) RatSouffle's avatar. Just an epileptic seizure and him getting a lawsuit waiting to happen. Change it. I'm looking out for you, Rat.

His avatar isn't going to give anyone and epileptic seizure.
I'm pretty sure that to cause someone to have such a seizure the animation has to be different.

Either way, in the new rules we'll have guidelines for sigs/avatars/etc.. but even with those rules, nothing should be wrong with RS's avatar.

Originally Posted by James P.

2.) Our reactions to others' posts.

This will also be addressed in the new rules and a large announcement to the forums.
In the end, it's a personal thing that everyone will need to work on.

Thank you for your ideas.

James P. · #9 July 16, 2008, 1:05 PM

Originally Posted by Kody

His avatar isn't going to give anyone and epileptic seizure.
I'm pretty sure that to cause someone to have such a seizure the animation has to be different.

Either way, in the new rules we'll have guidelines for sigs/avatars/etc.. but even with those rules, nothing should be wrong with RS's avatar.

This will also be addressed in the new rules and a large announcement to the forums.
In the end, it's a personal thing that everyone will need to work on.

Thank you for your ideas.

Ok, but I am afraid of the seizure thing. Just an FYI. The world doesn't need a repeat of the Pokemon episode Electric Soldier Porygon.

Danny Stewart · #10 July 16, 2008, 1:15 PM

Originally Posted by James P.

Ok, but I am afraid of the seizure thing. Just an FYI. The world doesn't need a repeat of the Pokemon episode Electric Soldier Porygon.

Yeah, because the same number of people visit my site as watch PokÃ©mon.

James P. · #11 July 16, 2008, 1:17 PM

I was making a comparison, damnit! Does everything I say have to be mocked!?!?

Danny Stewart · #12 July 16, 2008, 1:20 PM

Originally Posted by James P.

I was making a comparison, damnit! Does everything I say have to be mocked!?!?

Yes.

James P. · #13 July 16, 2008, 1:24 PM

Why? Is being nice so beyond you that you see it as something for poor men or something? Is it a "Poor man's emotion" to you!? Well call me poor, but I feel that being poor & nice is better than being rich and rude, Danny Stewart!!

Danny Stewart · #14 July 16, 2008, 1:30 PM

Originally Posted by James P.

Why? Is being nice so beyond you that you see it as something for poor men or something? Is it a "Poor man's emotion" to you!? Well call me poor, but I feel that being poor & nice is better than being rich and rude, Danny Stewart!!

I don't have a penny to my name at the moment. And I'm usually quite nice. Ask any of my friends.

Kody · #15 July 16, 2008, 1:31 PM

This thread is for the posting of constructive criticism and ideas on how to improve the forums, please keep it to that. Thank you.

Danny Stewart · #16 July 16, 2008, 1:33 PM

Originally Posted by Kody

This thread is for the posting of constructive criticism and ideas on how to improve the forums, please keep it to that. Thank you.

Agreed.

James P. · #17 July 16, 2008, 1:35 PM

Well I deserve equal respect. I am a human being- not your verbal punching bag!
I will leave it at that.
Back on topic.

Jamie Minty · #18 July 16, 2008, 1:44 PM

Well Done Kody! Very good idea and nice thing to do.

1) Some posts from all types of people on here (I will even admit to this) aren't very appreciative. I think on episode discussions some people should accept other peoples posts a opinions a bit more, and I don't just mean Danny, and not make them completely negative.

2) Aiming things at specific people, James you want to support this yet you argue with Danny, and look at you status!!!!

3) I don't know whether this is being worked on at the moment, but keep the audio productions a lot more active. Keeping us entertained with different events would be great especially as this is a small community. A roundtable discussion for Series 4 would be great!

James P. · #19 July 16, 2008, 1:49 PM

Originally Posted by Jamie Minty

2) Aiming things at specific people, James you want to support this yet you argue with Danny, and look at you status!!!!

I am treated like that almost whenever I post. Anything I say is f'ed up by a few people. And Danny allows that!

If I ever have a forum the 1st rule will be this:
1.) Other members, mods, and admins are living, breathing things that have feelings. Treat them how you want to be treated. If you do not, and you treat them badly often, you will be outta here so fast that you might break the sound barrier! People here @ {Insert forum name here} are to be treated politely or else.

Danny Stewart · #20 July 16, 2008, 1:54 PM

Originally Posted by James P.

I am treated like that almost whenever I post. Anything I say is f'ed up by a few people. And Danny allows that!

If I ever have a forum the 1st rule will be this:
1.) Other members, mods, and admins are living, breathing things that have feelings. Treat them how you want to be treated. If you do not, and you treat them badly often, you will be outta here so fast that you might break the sound barrier! People here @ {Insert forum name here} are to be treated politely or else.

No one's stopping you from making your own forum. You might be happier there.