- =SB= Sonic Blast Community Forum
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- ~Fortress Base Zone~
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- Act III: Feedback Harbor
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- How to spur activity?
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| How to spur activity? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 16 2012, 05:07 PM (1,554 Views) | |
| Lady BlizShadow | Jan 26 2012, 07:48 PM Post #61 |
I still can't use this.
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I have to wonder: Is the rest of the forum really so strict that The Shack is now suddenly the only way people can feel at home and loose? Speaking from a staff member's perspective, it's rare that we have to be on anybody's butts about anything serious. A few verbals generally amount to simple reminders, and topics resume as usual. The only people ever banned nowadays are trolls who ban dodge. Even as forgiving as staff is, people still don't feel like the rest of the forum is lenient enough and thus worth visiting, that they can't unwind anywhere else? |
 Because staff made me do it. =P Art Topic ~ Drawing Tutorial ~ The Seven Chaos Forum | |
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HollyYoshi
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Jan 26 2012, 07:52 PM Post #62 |
I object to your claims
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I never really considered this place strict, so I'm not sure what the deal is.=/ |
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| Ludichaos | Jan 26 2012, 07:59 PM Post #63 |
[Outrealm Vagabond]
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Well to be fair the forum is pretty chill, but the Shack kind of serves as a free for all type of place where you can do whatever, y'know? You don't really have to worry about being on topic because there is none in the first place. If you do half of the things you'd do in the Shack anywhere else (excluding perhaps an extremely humour based RP) someone is gonna go "Hey. Knock that off." I'm not meaning to depict the Shack as the only safe haven from the strict regime of the =SB= Moderators or anything like that, but you can't deny that it's a place that's even looser than the rest of the forum. And thus allows for some lulz that don't disrupt other established topics. ... did that make sense? I don't know, I probably need more sleep. =w=; |
| 【One third of Sonic Blast's Legendary Australian Trio. The last remaining member 】 | |
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| Lady BlizShadow | Jan 26 2012, 09:02 PM Post #64 |
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I still can't use this.
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Is it really a "worry" to be on topic? Making a relevant post to a thread isn't all that difficult a task. This ties into my general sentiment about The Shack. I'm not denying that it's looser. Indeed, the fact that it's so gosh-darned unregulated has inevitably put a negative light on the infinitesimally small modicum of effort required to bother following the general board rules when visiting other forums, such that it's part of the reason people just stay in The Shack. |
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Because staff made me do it. =P Art Topic ~ Drawing Tutorial ~ The Seven Chaos Forum | |
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| Ludichaos | Jan 26 2012, 09:10 PM Post #65 |
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[Outrealm Vagabond]
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Now you're twisting my words, Blizy. |I No, it's not that hard to stay on topic. However, it's nice to have a place where you don't have to be. Because honestly I don't see many topics which say 'just go nuts and have fun in here'. And if they did you know they'd just get locked the minute someone caught wind of it due to being spam. So how does that make the Shack different? It doesn't. But spam can be fun so giving people somewhere to do it is better than having them scatter it all over the board. At the end of the day people won't always want to be on topic. You can only discuss a topic for so long until everything has been explored and there's really no way to expand on it. Just the way things go~ |
| 【One third of Sonic Blast's Legendary Australian Trio. The last remaining member 】 | |
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| Lady BlizShadow | Jan 26 2012, 09:24 PM Post #66 |
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I still can't use this.
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I'm not twisting your words at all. You keep reiterating that it's nice to have a place where you don't have to think about being on topic and can spam all over the place. Okay, I understand that, and I'm not disagreeing. My point is that this type of free-for-all is practically impossible to balance with more sensible discussion, because between the choices of a lot of freedom and a megaton of freedom, people will inevitably choose the latter. Thus, activity on a discussion forum will always and reliably become extremely concentrated in the spam sections the moment such a thing is introduced. I can't think of a single case where this didn't happen without some heavy regulation on part of staff which- if the extreme backlash earlier was any indication- is something Shack goers are not willing to concede on. Also, you have a pretty cynical take on discussion. The inevitable end of many topics should not inherently reduce the value of discussion much less increase the value of just spamming. There's as many things to discuss as you're willing to put your mind to and bother bringing up to the rest of the people. As I reiterated posts ago and could easily display by just linking to SSMB, there's many things outside of technical discoveries to discuss about the Sonic series alone. Note: that's a single franchise in the midst of hundreds of game franchises, all of which are just one of many characteristics of entertainment, and entertainment itself being just one of many characteristics of our society. If a collective of tens and hundreds of members can't find something interesting in this world to always talk about, it comes down to whether or not they're even putting in the effort to try talking. |
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Because staff made me do it. =P Art Topic ~ Drawing Tutorial ~ The Seven Chaos Forum | |
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| ShenziSixaxis | Jan 26 2012, 09:31 PM Post #67 |
The Shenz Mastur Can Has Derp
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Even talking about your day can be considered discussion. I mean talking about something, not discussing it in extreme depth or having a debate. And no, no. Being overly serious isn't frowned upon-- trying to have an actual discussion when everyone wants to screw around is. I've attempted to discuss a little thing here and there and either been ignored or told to GTFO, to put it mildly. |
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| Ludichaos | Jan 26 2012, 09:37 PM Post #68 |
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[Outrealm Vagabond]
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. . . Yeah okay maybe I shouldn't try to discuss/debate/whatever things when I'm tired. It leads to... this. *disoriented hand wave* I guess I was more or less referring to one particular discussion rather than discussion value across the board as a whole. But I guess when it comes to Sonic discussion folks don't really want to talk about much at the moment? I dunno. On the flip side since the common factor here is Sonic related discussion, getting enough people to discuss any other games to any degree is kind of difficult since there might not be enough popularity among the active member base. I know I couldn't really talk about Digimon Xros Wars since I'm like one of two people here watching it. Could just make a Digimon topic though... hm.... Anyway! I shall take this to heart and endeavour to spur (or at least attempt to) more activity in the form of discussable topics in the future. Because hey, why not? Structured stuff can be fun too. You win this round! But I'll get you next time, BlizShadoooooow! Pffthahaha no I won't. As if there was any doubt which way this would go. |D; In the Shack was the key point in my sentence. Discussion isn't frowned upon so long as you don't take it too seriously. If I may be blunt with you, Shenz, you can be very opinionated at times and this tends to attract less than positive responses from other members. Especially since your opinions tend to conflict with the majority's (Generations, just to name one). I've seen some of these instances you refer to and while they may not be right, you didn't exactly make it any easier on yourself. Sometimes it's best not to go in with all your guns blazing, y'know? Not saying it's right for people to have a go at you for any reason, just that you'll encounter it less if you don't. ... I honestly have no idea if that last part made sense. Why am I still talking in this topic? |
| 【One third of Sonic Blast's Legendary Australian Trio. The last remaining member 】 | |
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| KogaHarine | Jan 26 2012, 10:27 PM Post #69 |
The Black Swordsman
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I'd just like to say that I've personally had serious moments in the Shack. Mind you all the lulzy people tend to leave until "Serious Time" is over but there are a few that will stick around to discuss it with me. Now I've been told to leave the Shack due to my topic being too serious but it's never bothered me. There are times where I had been having a conversation and someone said it was childish or something like that. The thing is if you don't like what's being discussed then change it yourself. Try and start a topic that you know others will want to discuss. Now I have seen some flaming here and there (mind you I typically brush it off like it's nothing simply because it is nothing). And some of the mods know if I personally see something that goes against board rules I hit the report button and leave it at that. Better to let the mods put out the fires than to have members spread it and make things worse. Due to the fact that there isn't much going on in the Sonic Universe (games, comics, etc.) there isn't going to be that much activity in the Sonic topics. Hell I tend to avoid the Sonic topics because I simply don't care as much about Sonic as I used to. The only reason I really stick around is for the community. If it wasn't for that I wouldn't be here. The Casino Park is basically spam but there are a few members who actually do post outside of there. Personally I like to post in the Casino Park. My favorite topics are the Post your Pic thread, the Caption/Rate the Avatar/Signature above threads, and the new compliment the user above you thread and at times the Shack. There are members that keep topics alive elsewhere (I venture into a lot of the topics in Station Square just to read what others have to say on the topics in there. We do have a pretty good group of people who post information that I actually enjoy reading. However I don't post due to the fact that by the time I get to the topics they are usually filled with posts and there isn't much left for me to say). The fact of the matter is that topics are only as interesting as the creator makes them out to be. So if we had a more dedicated group of people that would be willing to find information and make topics (Much like Bliz does when it comes to Sonic information) then we might find that there will be more meaningful discussion. As for the Shack? I say leave it. People want what they want and the moment you take that away the population of active users will drop like flies. I will admit I have been a part of the Shacknanigans but there have also been times where there was meaningful discussion. Usually all you have to do to get in a discussion is find a time when the lulzy members aren't being lulzy (and we all know there are down times in the Shack so you can't say there isn't time for a serious discussion). Now that you've brought that to my attention Shenz you can bet I'm going to be keeping watch for anyone who is being rude or just outright flaming. If they are being rude to you simply report it and leave it be. The mods are here to make sure that the rules are followed. The Shack may be a spam topic however there are still rules that each member must follow regardless of where they are in the forum. And the Shack is still subject to the rules. Also I want to point out that mods are not above the rules (I've seen some issues with mods before. Not naming anyone specifically however they know who they are) Personally I don't care if your a regular member or a mod. If you break a rule and I see it I will report it. And everyone else should do the same. The report button is there for a reason. USE IT! I probably shouldn't be posting this before I head off to bed since I'm tired so take this with a grain of salt. I'm just ranting but I hope my points have gotten across. |
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| Fenroar | Jan 27 2012, 01:08 PM Post #70 |
Perfectionist
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Uh, in response to Metallix, can you not go as far as to call the Casino just flat out spam? Yes, at times, the Shack can have people posting nothing but nonsense pictures for a bit, but it's not like the Shack represents the entire casino(And pretty much what Chaos said. We have "serious" and casual discussions as well, and a fun place to chat on. It's not like it's completely lulzy as you guys put it). Everything else is just games like other typical forums, so I don't see why you constantly refer to the entire Casino as a whole as spam. And I couldn't find it because Zone V doesn't drop down and list the sections like the others, instead you have to click on it to see the sections. Dx Although I do agree something should be done perhaps with RPs around here. There's way too many RPs filled with nothing but one liners and poor posts with proper grammar, especially in the Private RP section where you see people average posts in the hundreds because all they do is post one liners in their private RPs. Advanced RPs are almost always ignored as one put it. |
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Neo Metallix
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Jan 27 2012, 01:19 PM Post #71 |
~Doomsday Overlord~
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I kind of agree on name changes, I think we should put a regulation on it. Once every 6 months doesn't sound too strict. A lot of the time I have to go into actual name history to figure out who the person is. As for making a topic about it, it doesn't exactly do anything if most people are in the shack anyway. Like I pointed out earlier, the shack can have probably 50+ posts in a few hours while this topic will have one or two or possibly even none in that time.
Yes the Casino is spam but it's spam games. It's made to be forum games not just complete spam with no merit which some of the games in there and the shack have become. It was not supposed to be a topic where people just post a picture and nothing else and it shouldn't be that way any more. Also Zone V does drop down. Click the expand button on the right corner. You can collapse all of the Zones.
We're talking about how to make it better to spur activity elsewhere and just creating topics hasn't really worked much. As far as people leaving due to removing the shack(which I won't do but possibly will alter the rules of it), it really wouldn't do much to the rest of the board. It would just make the casino area die. Again, in that particular scenario. Edited by Neo Metallix, Jan 27 2012, 01:22 PM.
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   Puncture the Porcupine, my fancharacter! | |
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| Fenroar | Jan 27 2012, 01:42 PM Post #72 |
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Perfectionist
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Oh. Huh. Just noticed it. Had no clue the control pad on the Dreamcaster skin does that. I do agree games like 'The Last to Post wins', 'Quote Pyramid', etc., are all really just pointless, seeing they're really just extra hangout spots, and no different from the Shack but honestly, that's only a few topics. Other games like 'Corrupt a Wish' and stuff still fill up most of the section(At least the first page) and are typical forum games found on other forums. Not sure if it changes the overall point of this thread, that more activity on the forum is in the casino section, but I don't think you should at least refer to the Casino as overall just spam. I don't think the Shack can be considered spam as well(People got yelled at for being serious? Nonsense, I never seen this. The Shack is one of the nicest places on the forum, and I saw Dev as well as other help from the members stopping anything from going out of control) but *shrug*. |
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| Lord Master of Darkness™ | Jan 27 2012, 01:42 PM Post #73 |
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Shenzi - you may feel people are hostile because that's the vibe I seem to get from you, always insisting you're right and having to have the correct opinion without any consideration or feelings towards anyone else. Nobody else has these issues so it's fairly logical to assume your attitude is why you get a hostile vibe from other members. Please understand that I'm not trying to be a dick when I say this, but offer constructive feedback on your comment. Plus, you can't really turn this thread into a "woe everyone hates me" thread, that'd derail it somewhat from the purpose - establishing more activity on the forums. Before I move on - flaming... hmm, I know I can cross the line a few times but generally so long as it's an opinion then I have no issue with it. If it's flaming for the sake of flaming then it's wrong. Metallix, I can't help but now question the whole point of this topic. I've given it quite a considerable amount of thought... is the forum really suffering that much? Yes, the Shack is the most busy by far. But look at the landmarks you've achieved with it being a part of the forum. Most of the regulars there have at least 500 posts, and I can name at least ten who have over 6,000. That's right - most of the frequent posters within the top 20 posters of all time frequent the Shack. The forum is in rude health, and I can't help but think you're worrying a bit too much over nothing. Sonic Blast is far from kneeling over and breathing its last. As a former forum runner I can relate to your concerns 100%, but I do get the impression you're basically panicking over nothing. Everyone else - stop posting in this topic, and go post elsewhere. Serious, this topic is taking activity away from other areas of the forum  SHEEEEEESH.
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| L Dragon | Jan 27 2012, 02:17 PM Post #74 |
Chaos Emerald
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Oh look, a wild MoD appears and makes a valid point... Oh look, someone mentioned RPs in this topic...*continues to post*
I had this whole rant, but then I deleted it. I don't need to say much for this case. Private rps are private rps, simple as that. Be it one liners or not. Mentioning the rp section period, and complaining about it, isn't that relevant to the case at hand(which MoD kinda blew up.) RPers are still going to rp, one liners or not. The rp section really isn't the problem here(if there even is a problem anymore?) So, with that said, shall me move on? |
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| Lord Master of Darkness™ | Jan 27 2012, 02:23 PM Post #75 |
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The main problem with the one-liner RPers is they're younger and not as able to take feedback/advice. The only thing you can really do is encourage more experienced roleplayers to take one or two under their wing and roleplay with them, showing them through roleplay how to roleplay. But this I feel is a topic better served elsewhere, and is another can of worms in itself. And hey, wild MoD's are the best MoD's 
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