Honestly, I think updating the first post with relevant information solves it. I have never considered speculation a bad thing, it helps keep people interested and excited. I don't like this idea of limiting post numbers, unless there's a server space issue, I don't think it's particularly beneficial to the community.
Then if you feel strongly about the amount of pages preventing people from finding desired informations, why do you snap at them if they ask. I honestly don't see why the important information can't be put in the first post - or even do one topic for new releases, even call it that if you like, where all the new Beyblades are listed with all currently known information, and have the Beyblade's own topic for the speculation within it. I don't see the harm in speculation, I only see fun and excitement in it.
And I wasn't referring to people solely using a topic for unintended purpose, I mean for example someone could type a few things in Random Thoughts, and then nip "Oh I also got ____ today" at the end and get flamed for it. I just think, and it's not just you, the way things are handled here are strict and humiliating. There are nicer ways to do things.
wait. Before things get wilder. Can we stop arguing about things happening in WBO? People will get cranky when they see posts on this page. Seriously, I think we should stop it.
It is what this thread is for, we are having a serious, calm discussion, which is the mature way to resolve problems.
Then it is people's fault, because I do not remember seeing a staff member do what you described in the last paragraph.
You know, you can report people for "mini-moding" too.
People are "put off" simply because of the number of pages. They would not even bother looking at the first post. For some reason, I also could not post three times the same thing everytime ...
(Mar. 03, 2012 7:46 PM)Kai-V Wrote: [ -> ]Then it is people's fault, because I do not remember seeing a staff member do what you described in the last paragraph.
You know, you can report people for "mini-moding" too.
People are "put off" simply because of the number of pages. They would not even bother looking at the first post. For some reason, I also could not post three times the same thing everytime ...
Kai-V is right about this. Anyways, as I posted in another thread before, moderators in WBO do exist for a good reason, so don't criticize their way of warning and judging. You will understand what I mean, when you observed carefully.
ljadams9, I am not afraid to tell you that I got 40% of warning. This are the following reasons for being warned.
Continuously discussing erased conversations. (+1 points) for post: RE: MFB 4D: Episode 145 - The Lost Kingdom (01/29/12)
Talking about clearly unconfirmed information. (+1 points) for post: BB-123 Random Booster Vol. 9 Fusion Hades
Talking about totally unconfirmed information. (+2 points) for post: BB-124 Kreis Cygnus
Even talking about erased conversations and unconfirmed information could get yourself warned.
So, yes I don't blame mods for warning me. It's something to remind you not to do it again.
Criticism is OK sometimes. We are people too.
(Mar. 03, 2012 7:46 PM)Kai-V Wrote: [ -> ]Then it is people's fault, because I do not remember seeing a staff member do what you described in the last paragraph.
You know, you can report people for "mini-moding" too.
People are "put off" simply because of the number of pages. They would not even bother looking at the first post. For some reason, I also could not post three times the same thing everytime ...
Also, to keep on the "put off" topic, maybe this will help us determine the strictness. I get PM's from customers here who buy stuff from me, who are too scared and are put off because of the strict moderation. I can see their point.
For the record, I am not talking out of my arse. I've moderated forums much larger than this so I can speak from experience with what I think is or is not strict.
(Mar. 03, 2012 7:49 PM)Kai-V Wrote: [ -> ]Criticism is OK sometimes. We are people too.
But I am afraid I am like a typical mod just like you guys, where I am gonna be so strict too.
I sure would warn lots of people if I become a mod. Of course with reasons too. not like warning people for nothing.
And were those boards full of kids who do not read the very kind private message they receive when they sign up ?
Also, on the contrary, a lot of sellers are also reporting to us customers who clearly cannot read what they have written in their topic's first post. A lot of them make sure to bold and enlarge "PM me offers" in their post, and a lot of people SPAM their topic instead, and it bothers those sellers. There are of course sellers who could think otherwise, but it does not seem to be a majority at all. What are your customers afraid of posting ?
(Mar. 03, 2012 8:00 PM)Kai-V Wrote: [ -> ]Also, on the contrary, a lot of sellers are also reporting to us customers who clearly cannot read what they have written in their topic's first post. A lot of them make sure to bold and enlarge "PM me offers" in their post, and a lot of people SPAM their topic instead, and it bothers those sellers. There are of course sellers who could think otherwise, but it does not seem to be a majority at all. What are your customers afraid of posting ?
Yes but I am not catagorizing them with the same people in any way, am I? Correct me if I'm wrong but this topic is asking if YOU guys are strict. If you wanna open up a new topic and ask "Are a certain percect of WBO buyers a bunch of blind muppets?", rest assured I'd give my opinion on that too.
They tell me all sorts of things, I will quote two anon. members here:
Quote:in my post in photo gallery Â
I was gonna type Appollon G-String Â
but scared I might get warned Â
Quote:nah man i dont post, it seems like if your new and you post, no matter how good a post can be, theyre going to tell you your wrong
See? You guys ARE strict in my opinion. Very strict. And it's not just my opinion; that's why there was a thread about it, because it had obviously been an issue at somepoint.
To put you guy's minds at ease about speculation, I'll explain a bit. There are always 2 sides of a story.
1. Beybladers around the world come to WBO to find solid and accurate informations. It is an image that the current and past committees, moderators and members have worked hard for. What you find here are good informations. Trustworthy and confirmed. We would like to keep that image, and it is difficult with general audience having a habit of speculating and posting random informations they find on the Internet. A somewhat firm stand is needed if WBO wants to keep the status as the 'go-to' place to find reliable informations.
2. Speculating is fun. The whole process is fun. I personally, like it too. Random thoughts being shared will only bring the community tighter. If it was allowed though, do keep in mind the potential useless spam that will flood the threads, reducing it's credibility at the same time.
Given the options, WBO would prefer to discourage speculations. We do lose a little bit of the fun aspect in that sense, but we gain the other more important things. Things that matter.
I think we could allow more speculation then we do, perhaps in a separate, dedicated thread? "Upcoming Release Speculation" with a clear disclaimer that it is all just that, and so on?
It's not just new people who are scared to post, warnings are being handed out too easily, actual warnings, not moderator notices, I've taken most that I've seen up with you all before, but let's be honest, I can't see them all, and I'd rather not have to, just as I'd rather not spend time reassuring people who have been scared by warnings for simple errors or misunderstandings, or those who are scared to recieve one for such things. As I said, a simple, comprehensive "things you can be warned for" list should be updated before warnings begin being handed out. Heck, even I worry that I'll miss a new "Warning Buzzword" if I'm been absent for a while.
I got warned one time for calling Hazel an antsy little fellow! Quite a heavy-handed warning if you ask me... why, I was actually offended! Sure it was lifted but still, it sure made things awkward for a while.
In Buying and Selling/Trading, we will not ever loosen up - at all. I will personally see to it that that particular forum is governed by an iron fist and a rocket-propelled hammer, because protecting buyers and sellers is the frontmost priority. If a user is not going to post images we can see, or front up some reliability after their first transactions, they're not doing business here. If users are going to waste sellers' time with nonsense offers and stupid posts, they're not going without reprimand.
This is a children's website, but it is also the primary competitive thinktank and the main source of tournament venues for this hobby. A certain demeanor of respect must be encouraged, for the board itself, and even more importantly, a very definite amount of "learn to do for yourself" should, too. If it is too much to insist upon someone that they search for themselves, or, Heaven forbid, read a post directly above theirs or on the first page, then they will probably not be well-received.
Anyone who thinks a 10% warning is severe is really not looking at the percent at all. Anyone who continues to ignore posting guidelines beyond that first warning will continue getting warned. If they will not fall in line, they will eventually either leave or be banned. Any time a warning turns out to be a "simple misunderstanding", I revoke it.
As for updating first posts, that is something we have started doing recently - I actually manually edited quite a lot of 4D OPs recently including absolutely all of the pertinent information and all of the images of those Beyblades found within the dozen or more pages following the first post, and Kai-V has begun editing her new ones.
The issue with speculation is twofold - obviously, there is the serious risk of people taking it seriously(which happens a lot more often than I think people here realize, and leads to more stupid posts from people that then require correction), and in general, the quality of posts regarding speculation is often drastically lower than average.
As for Zain's warning, I cannot defend that one. Snap warnings are handed out sometimes - and they are also pretty much always revoked. We are just as fallible as anyone else. I have personally backed very far off the warning button in recent months, and I can also guarantee that the other active Administrators have, as well. The warning logs very clearly back up this trend.
Things you can be warned for :
- Not reading rules, first posts, and posts right at the end of the topic you want to post in.
-
There is really not that much. Most of the other times, we either just erase the posts instead of warning their authors, or we tell people to search.
This is another issue : I do not know if someone wants to actually make a video tutorial to show people how to search, but it is like nobody ever thinks of searching before posting. When I go on important websites where I do not want to look like a n00b yet that I need to ask a question, I always search beforehand to make sure that the question was not already asked and answered before. No matter where you go, the word "Search" is on the page at least twice. Anywhere.
As long as people are not being warned for rules they could not be aware of by reading the site rules, I am happy. Perhaps I am merely dealing with the results of the short period where things were a little overzealous.
As for the situations outlined in the rest of your posts, I am in total agreement re: searching, reading the first post, and last page or two.
Still like the "Upcoming Release Speculation" thread idea though. Keep all the speculation out of the main threads but allow people to still have fun, perhaps even discuss rumours and throw out part names wildly from abbreviation. As long as it is made clear that such things are to stay in that thread and that thread alone, there shouldn't be too much trouble with contamination.
I think that seriously WBO are not strict now. Thinking back that I was only warned for talking about unconfirmed information and continuous erased conversation. So, yeah. People who don't want to get warned, don't do what I did.
As long as you post sensibly, you wont get warned.
WBO are always strict..(a bit a less now i think..But Kai-V and Hazel are pretty serious...
haha)
just that nowadyas..more chances/verbal warnings are given first before real warnings are given..
I used to think the WBO was very strict and I felt pretty uncomfortable with it... but that changed long ago.
After I started modding a German beyblade forum I figured that it's just plain necessary, there's no other way people will get certain things. I had completely underestimated the amount of spam-threads and insults that could pop up in a day's worth.
And if I compare my member count to the one of the WBO...
The admin and mod team gets all my respect for managing to keep up with this. Maybe this level of strictness takes some time to get used to, but it does the job.
And it's good to know when you did something wrong (I will probably make a ton of mistakes myself, knowing me, so I'm glad if I'm told that >_>)
I also thought WBO was strict. But then i started understanding the rules etc.
Though I do think some mods are strict and very serious. But, they're just doing their jobs. Some are more lenient than others..
Also, not a fan of the 'Warning Level' thing. That just creeps me out. aha.
(Mar. 15, 2012 1:43 PM)BlackOutCannon Wrote: [ -> ]I also thought WBO was strict. But then i started understanding the rules etc.
Though I do think some mods are strict and very serious. But, they're just doing their jobs. Some are more lenient than others..
Also, not a fan of the 'Warning Level' thing. That just creeps me out. aha.
Justa question but how does it creep you out?
If you are good poster and you get warned, it definitely will creep one out.
As for the strictness, it has definitely gone down since the start of March. Mods are being more lenient towards newbies which is good. At the same time I dont see much spam either. But yeah, mods beware. Summer vacations are starting in India from mid-April so rup123 can make a comeback.
Yeah your definetly right about all you just said but I didnt quite understand about the part with rup123.
I believe, at times, the moderators can be a bit strict. However, they have really been nicer to newbies, lately.
I have known about the WBO since the beginning, but I was mostly interested in the Beywiki. When I finally started to look at the forums, I (unfortunately) mostly saw people reprimanding noob posters. I then thought that the WBO was full of cranky Beyblade players, which kept me from joining for a long time. More time passed, and as I explored the site more, I realized just how great a resource the WBO is. I made an account. However, I didn't post much because I still feared being yelled at. I suppose it's that same awareness that makes me think before I post something. I think to myself...am I on topic? Am I polite? Am I contributing? Anyways, over time, as I talked more, I noticed that the WBO is an awesome place, with good people. There is nothing to be afraid of if you just read before you post, and think.
The Moderators have a tough job here. It's their job to maintain this enormous site, as well as monitor the tons of people who post on it. It's not easy. Something small like a single dumb post or a little spam isn't that bad, but multiply by the huge scale of the WBO and it becomes a huge problem. I secretly wanted to be a moderator before I joined the WBO but after realizing all the work involved, I'm not sure anymore lol.
I have never had any real issues here. I received a warm welcome and I have gotten along well with just about everyone. The most trouble I have gotten into was having my post deleted, and that only happened yesterday. I might PM a moderator about it, but I didn't get a warning or anything, so I don't mind.