Posting Etiquite Request

[Chiangtao]

Hi folks,

I want to request something from our forum community. There's something that's been bugging me for a while now--some people seem to want their voices heard more than others and post multiple times in the same thread without bringing any new points to the table. This often is what people term as "argumentative" and really detracts from the forum discussion, often leading into the discussion itself "derailing." Heck, sometimes a discussion isn't even warranted--when the staff gives a new rule or clarifies an old one, like cleric domains, why are we posting multiple times about personal views on the rule?

I HUMBLY request that some folks start exercising a little discression in how frequently they post. A general rule of thumb that I've found helpful--post ONCE per discussion, unless you REALLY need to clarify something. I consciously exercise this rule for myself.

Staff, if I'm overstepping my bounds here, please let me know. These are my personal feelings, and certainly not an attempt to change how you do things here. It's just frustrating seeing a select-few players making their voices heard a lot more than is necessary.

[Kangleton]

I agree with you, sort of - though I have to say that what you're requesting is a hard thing to set specific boundaries on.

Most people don't actually post unless they feel they have a reason to, and even if it is to restate something, or give a personal opinion that wasn't really asked for, the individual feels it necessary and productive. If they feel it is so, then I would say that the individual should be fully encouraged to post their thoughts on any matter, as that is how positive change can occur, and it helps the poster feel as though their voice has a say in something significant.

And, most importantly to me, is the fact that this is a community. In a positive community, I would think that we should all appreciate each other's voices and encourage them to be used; it helps to establish a feeling of OOC respect.

I think a better rule of thumb, then, rather than
"Post once per thread, unless you need to clarify something",

would be:

"If you feel it is important, significant, or contributive in any way, go ahead and post".

[Landaren]

Its not bad to put your opinion out there, I do see a lot of garble out there from time to time. And I don't really have any problem with multi-postings from a user as long as he adds something new two or three posts down the road.

What I do dislike greatly is wall text! My sentence structure has truly gone to hell in a hand basket, but I try to break up my points into various blocks to make it easier on readers.

[Jaeram]

I have to say, I'm probably guilty for some of that 'wall text' lol, I break mine up sometimes, but I tend to write really long paragraphs (in school we were always taught 4-5 sentences per paragraph, but by the time you get to a University or College like I am it's generally more like 10-20 sentences per paragraph). For that I apologize

Although you mentioned it comes off to you as 'argumentative' but I don't know if I've really seen what seems like a real argument yet. To me, most of the people who post here seem to be fairly mature in their posts and it comes off as just a discussion to me, although the internet has been known to translate differently to different people . I think you have a point, and I know that I post fairly frequently my self, but the way I've always perceived the forums is as a place where we can all debate or discuss, among other things, about things we might have opinions on. If I don't really have an opinion I normally don't post on it.

Do you think that the forums are supposed to be utilized differently?

[Chiangtao]

Since you're asking, let me clarify what I mean. Take a look at this recent thread:

http://www.sundren.org/forum//showthread.php?t=5169

This isn't even something that's up for debate, and look how a few people seem to weigh in on the subject more than others. They aren't bringing anything new, they are having a back and forth on the subject and reiterating their personal views on cleric domains.

I'm not trying to be a jerk. I'm merely suggesting that some folks post more than they aught to, leading to argumentative or off-topic threads. I think this tends to happen when we think of the forum like a real-life argument. We quote each other, bring up counter-points... but that's a never-ending cycle of print if you get two people of the same post-heavy ilk.

Surely we can use some common sense and admit that yes, we do have some folks who tend to over-exercise their forum priveledges. Yes, everyone's voice is valuable, but no more valuable than another forum user. Let's try not to drown out the other voices.

And for god's sake, why are we debating DM rules? They aren't open for debate unless a DM says, "Hey folks, what do you think about this new cleric domain rule?"

PS--yes, I see the backward nature of posting twice in this thread.

[sparkeh]

PS--yes, I see the backward nature of posting twice in this thread.

Heh was going to call you on that.

I guess this comes down to what you see the forums for. They are discussion forums after all and I don't think a discussion consist of each person making one statement and moving on. Discussions do go back and forth and I have no problem with that.

However I think you are right with the deity discussion. Things that aren't up for discussion shouldn't decend into pointless arguments and perhaps I am partly responsible for carring this on.

[Jaeram]

Heh, ok I think I see what your saying, I actually did not read the updates to that cleric post until I posted hear the first time. After seeing some of that I think to that extent you are right. I hope you don't think that I thought you were being a jerk though, cause I didn't , I was just hoping for a bit of clarity, which you have provided. I agree with you, in that, we probably shouldn't be debating DM rules that are already in place, in the end it's what ever the DM's rule, and I accept that, in most cases I'd say it's actually a bit of a blessing too because the DM's have that ability to chime in and so okay, we've made a decision, we're sticking to it, let's all move on now. I will probably always be one of those heavy voice people (if you consider me, I could understand that ) but I guess that's because I like to socialize and discuss on the forums, because most of my friends out side of here aren't really in to D&D or NWN, so it's kind of a mental refreshment for me, hopefully that doesn't bother you too much.

[rustediron]

To be fair, in the cleric domain discussion, it's just 1 person against everyone else - wouldn't be much of a discussion if he only got one post, IMO.

[Gairun]

Chiangtao I love you buddy, you know that, but this idea would work perfectly in a Utopia where everyone thinks the same. But here in the real world people have different opinions and thoughts, some of us like Kang, Jaeram, Mighty-Draco, Myself and Company really enjoy having 'meaty' discussions about stuff, it's just who we are.

However I'll agree with you that on DM rulings and stuff like that it is kind of senseless to whine about them like a four year old with an improper upbringing.

[Kangleton]

I take offense to the term "meaty". To be more politically correct, you should include a metaphor about wholesome meat alternatives as well.

But the only thing I have to add constructively to this discussion would be that even if a DM makes a rule, that is no reason not to express our own opinions. One should not express such opinions with an emotional bias, or blatant defiance or offensiveness, but positive change is inflicted through open-mindedness, right? So I feel that we should go ahead and make our opinions available, even to the DM's, when it comes to that. Player input should mean very much to the staff, since they are, in fact, creating a world for players.

[rustediron]

Kang's on fire today! Still won't let me rep you, though

[Landaren]

I didn't side with anyone I added my own input and it seemed have gotten lost in the jumble of flames.

[Kangleton]

Kang's on fire today! Still won't let me rep you, though

Really? Is it supposed to not let you? Because I've been repped too recently or something?

...My rep hasnt gone up in forever.

[undeadsteak]

I've Repped you Kang . Heh, I don't know, I think people should be free to post what they want as long as its not flaming and just random spam. It doesn't hurt anyone unless its flame/spam.

[Kangleton]

Postcount +1

EDIT: ...Shit, I screwed up.