Pointless posting

[Phil]

Ah, so... FlyingJesus; got warned because he was the first person to realise it and didn't say anything on topic... But if he was the second person to realise, and he replied to the first person - whilst still not saying anything on topic, he would have been fine.

Seems entirely logical.

http://www.signsbypost.com/lg_images/SARCASM-NOW-SERVED-ALL-DAY-FUN-SIGN-PLAQUE-FUNNY-NOTICE-5223.jpg

Well Hayden had already contributed to the thread and would be a bit idiotic to edit his post and send him a PM for pointless posting when he was answering someone's question and being helpful?

[Yawn]

this thread is giving me a headache just change the rules

[Kardan]

http://www.signsbypost.com/lg_images/SARCASM-NOW-SERVED-ALL-DAY-FUN-SIGN-PLAQUE-FUNNY-NOTICE-5223.jpg

Well Hayden had already contributed to the thread and would be a bit idiotic to edit his post and send him a PM for pointless posting when he was answering someone's question and being helpful?

So we can post off topic if we've already answered the thread question? I would argue that FlyingJesus was being helpful by notifying Skandair that his choice of words was incorrect.

[Phil]

So we can post off topic if we've already answered the thread question? I would argue that FlyingJesus was being helpful by notifying Skandair that his choice of words was incorrect.

That's one of the points of this thread. Everyone has a different perception of what is a pointless/off-topic post so it is being suggested that the rule needs changing. What you consider to be pointless may be different to what I or another user sees as pointless

[xxMATTGxx]

Looked at other fansites to see what sort of rules they have in place for pointless posting/off-topic. It seems the other two big fansites keep it fairly simple in terms of what they say in the rules compared to Habbox.


ThisHabbo:

8. Pointless Posting:
Pointless posting regards any post that does not contribute to the topic of the thread and was simply posted with aims of gaining post count. Any user found pointless posting will be warned/infracted accordingly.


HFFM:

8) Pointless/Off-topic Posting
Pointless and off-topic posting is regarded as posts that do not contribute to the thread topic or the creators intentions.

Habbox:

A7. Do not post pointlessly ~ ~ Do not post off-topic ~ An off-topic post has no relevance to the topic or any previous post that is relevant, or does little to positively contribute to the discussion.
~ Do not spam/make pointless posts. It is not allowed to post random, meaningless, posts or threads on the forum. Examples of this are (ROFLCOPTER!!!!!!); (BYRDSB +HKK; ) (I am a plane)
~ Do not posts threads which only allow for short, one or two word answers and do not promote active discussion. Repeatably posting short replies such as "Yes" or "Nope" is also forbidden. What is classed as pointless or abuse is entirely down to the discretion of the Forum Department.

[Kardan]

ThisHabbo is good as it contains 'and', but HFFM's is pretty bad because of the word 'or' - I'm sure you'd get people reporting posts saying crap like "This post does not meet my intentions of this thread".

[Chris]

I liked the ThisHabbo one the best too. I'm thinking if we change it to match their rule then it's something we can always tweak if we find that it doesn't work out as well as we hoped.

[e5]

ThisHabbo is good as it contains 'and', but HFFM's is pretty bad because of the word 'or' - I'm sure you'd get people reporting posts saying crap like "This post does not meet my intentions of this thread".

Yeah we have members that like to pick flaws in rules ;)

In my opinion though, users may from that rule post 1 word replies but a lot of it will just be to increase post count so again it's still down to moderator discretion as to whether they are doing that or not. I know we could make it work but just one of those things. I'm happy to let 1 word replies go aslong as it's on topic to the threads question. I just think stupid 1 word replied to a thread like 'yes' or 'no' are always going to be pointless though even in a thread that asks like 'do you like cheese' or whatever, which technically only requires a 1 word reply but offers no discussion to the thread at all.

[Daltron]

Can we just move on from this, there won't be a marvellous perfect answer waiting at the end of a 100 page debate.

At the end of the day the pointless posting rule should only be used to warn or "REMIND -.-" members if it is indeed off topic, but if a post is one word or a little sarcastic but still relevant than it should be left alone.

I can almost guarantee a new rule that limits what people can post will make forum activity go down as Calum and the other mods are moving everything into spam and warning every second member, and in 6 months time you will all look around and make a new thread asking why there is no activity.

[FlyingJesus]

Yeah good plan let's just give up because we got to a certain post count in the thread

As for forum activity, how many times does it need to be explained that "yeah i lik it" x30 is not active discussion? Less crap threads doesn't mean the forum is doing worse

[Daltron]

Let's just make the entire discuss anything section a second spam section then since it's not good enough for some members
Problemo solved

[FlyingJesus]

Your posts in here are about as good as the threads you make, good to know there's some consistency

[Daltron]

Sorry for getting in the way, I'll leave this discussion then for the experts such as yourself who know what's best for the forum.

[Chris]

Yeah good plan let's just give up because we got to a certain post count in the thread

As for forum activity, how many times does it need to be explained that "yeah i lik it" x30 is not active discussion? Less crap threads doesn't mean the forum is doing worse

Whats wrong with this:


8. Pointless Posting:
Pointless posting regards any post that does not contribute to the topic of the thread and was simply posted with aims of gaining post count. Any user found pointless posting will be warned/infracted accordingly.

[FlyingJesus]

Nothing especially (although it'll still get contested all the time since it still doesn't explain what a proper contribution is), I was responding to the main offender who wanted to just close down feedback

[Rachel]

Well to me a post is a post. I know it can look like pointless posting but not everyone can post constructive and long post! ;) But it is in the rules and it should be followed. Don't blame it on the moderators ;)

[Cassiieee]

I wouldn't say me and Phil are friends like we used to be, but I don't see why I'm part of your problem for getting a warning.

I also recieved myself a warning 2 days ago for pointless posting which is going to last me 2 months, don't see me complaining or involving you as the problem.
FlyingJesus;

[Judas]

beef

Edited by e5 (Forum Moderator) - Please do not post pointlessly.

[-Moniquee.]

I agree on this, mods need to agree on one rule. Every mod is doing something different and most of the time are counting things as a pointless post when it actually isn't. I know I have got PMs for posts that actually contribute discussion and relate to the thread. Unless you guys want this forum to be empty you need to start relaxing and be happy that people are using the forum.
I don't see how a one word answer is any different to a paragraph when it actually has the same meaning. You need to relax the rules and too many mods on here are power hungry and are just doing user notes to try and make themselves look good.

If someone is actually contributing to the discussion and relating the discussion to the thread why are they getting punished?
The mod team definitely needs some looking into because at the moment it's all over the place

[e5]

I think the only effective to way to make users actually think about what they are posting is to down the reminder/warning/infraction route.

If users are aware that they are going to be getting a warning for their posting, then they will think twice a) before posting pointlessly b) to actually write a post that promotes discussion.

If a user was to usually just right "yeah" they may think, oh wait, that COULD be pointless, so instead, I am going to elaborate on my post now, and right "Yeah, I think dolphins and amazing. One I saw a school of dolphins when I was on a ferry to amsterdam, they were following our ferry".

So if a user thinks a post could be pointless, don't write it, add to it and make it seem reply-worthy. If you fail to do that, the route of warnings and infractions will be taken against your against.

Views on this? aswell as the new rule that Chris has posted of
8. Pointless Posting:
Pointless posting regards any post that does not contribute to the topic of the thread and was simply posted with aims of gaining post count. Any user found pointless posting will be warned/infracted accordingly.

- - - Updated - - -

I don't know what you mean by mods just do usernotes to look good lol? :P

Maybe as one of the non-power hungry mods I don't quite understand ;)
I agree on this, mods need to agree on one rule. Every mod is doing something different and most of the time are counting things as a pointless post when it actually isn't. I know I have got PMs for posts that actually contribute discussion and relate to the thread. Unless you guys want this forum to be empty you need to start relaxing and be happy that people are using the forum.
I don't see how a one word answer is any different to a paragraph when it actually has the same meaning. You need to relax the rules and too many mods on here are power hungry and are just doing user notes to try and make themselves look good.

If someone is actually contributing to the discussion and relating the discussion to the thread why are they getting punished?
The mod team definitely needs some looking into because at the moment it's all over the place

- - - Updated - - -

And you see, this a perfect example of a pointless post.

It has no relation to the threads topic, very immature.
beef

[Nick]

snip

I agree with the rule that is there. If it has nothing to do with the thread it is pointless/offtopic. Honestly I think the 1 word should be scrapped, if it is 1 - 2 words and it is on topic then it is fine. Pointless posting rule should really be used if someone is excessively spamming the forum just to boost their post count or if it has no complete meaning (as the rule states).

[Daltron]

Yeah I have never understood the one word thing because it can more than often be on topic

[Kardan]

I think the only effective to way to make users actually think about what they are posting is to down the reminder/warning/infraction route.

If users are aware that they are going to be getting a warning for their posting, then they will think twice a) before posting pointlessly b) to actually write a post that promotes discussion.

If a user was to usually just right "yeah" they may think, oh wait, that COULD be pointless, so instead, I am going to elaborate on my post now, and right "Yeah, I think dolphins and amazing. One I saw a school of dolphins when I was on a ferry to amsterdam, they were following our ferry".

So if a user thinks a post could be pointless, don't write it, add to it and make it seem reply-worthy. If you fail to do that, the route of warnings and infractions will be taken against your against.

Views on this? aswell as the new rule that Chris has posted of

- - - Updated - - -

I don't know what you mean by mods just do usernotes to look good lol? :P

Maybe as one of the non-power hungry mods I don't quite understand ;)

- - - Updated - - -

And you see, this a perfect example of a pointless post.

It has no relation to the threads topic, very immature.

What is pointless about saying 'Yes' to the question 'Do you like Dolphins?'?

It is neither pointless, or off topic, and is currently allowed within the rules, so not sure why you want to change that.

[Chippiewill]

Looked at other fansites to see what sort of rules they have in place for pointless posting/off-topic. It seems the other two big fansites keep it fairly simple in terms of what they say in the rules compared to Habbox.
The only difference is Habbox includes examples. In my opinion Habbox's rules are clearer, just verbose.

[e5]

What is pointless about saying 'Yes' to the question 'Do you like Dolphins?'?

It is neither pointless, or off topic, and is currently allowed within the rules, so not sure why you want to change that.

The question wasn't necessarily do you like dolphins.

Referring to the current rules
~ Do not posts threads which only allow for short, one or two word answers and do not promote active discussion. Repeatably posting short replies such as "Yes" or "Nope" is also forbidden. What is classed as pointless or abuse is entirely down to the discretion of the Forum Department. Yes is a forbidden answer.

[Kardan]

The question wasn't necessarily do you like dolphins.

Referring to the current rules Yes is a forbidden answer.

Where does it say 'Yes' is a forbidden answer?

[e5]

Where does it say 'Yes' is a forbidden answer?
Did you not read my quote?

[Yawn]

Did you not read my quote?
REPEATEDLY!

the only way i'd see that as pointless posting was if the person repeatedly answered a thread giving the same answer that wud be INCREDIBLY pointless

[e5]

REPEATEDLY!

the only way i'd see that as pointless posting was if the person repeatedly answered a thread giving the same answer that wud be INCREDIBLY pointless

I'm not saying I disagree subo

[Yawn]

I'm not saying I disagree subo

gr8 CHRIS CHANGE THE RULES *NOW*

[Kardan]

REPEATEDLY!

the only way i'd see that as pointless posting was if the person repeatedly answered a thread giving the same answer that wud be INCREDIBLY pointless

At least you can read :)

[GommeInc]

This whole issues seems like a lot about nothing. Isn't there a report feature? Moderators do not have to do all the moderating, members can link moderators to possible rule breaks using the report button if they so detest a post. I don't think moderators ought to go around strictly policing the forum unless they really should. Rules vary in strength and importance - some rules require the topic to have a certain quality which varies depending on the quality of the topic being discussed, and that requires the test of time. Pointless posting is one that falls directly under that - it's not an immediate violation or rule break, it depends where it goes and if it actually relates to the topic at hand, also what the value of a post really is. Obvious rule violations include posting erotic pornography or swearing against the filter, but anything that has an uncertainty like rules to do with post quality require time to fully understand if it is actually bad. If members are so against a post, then just report it. If you can't be bothered to do that then clearly the post isn't bad.

This topic is so boring that it's difficult to write anything for it. If a post is perceived as pointless, moderators shouldn't act on them as they do not know for certain it's pointless. If it is flagged up by members, then maybe act on it, but if it is receiving replies it's clearly not pointless as someone must share that point.