I have noticed in the last couple of months that the quality of the posts have gone done the drain on the forums. There are threads that are literally full of pages of posts a la "LOL" and "You are an idiot".
This has many reasons including Apple expanding its product line (i.e an increase in number of members), people not reading the guidlines (this is the internet, no one reads wikis), or just because posters/new comers don't care.
I came up with a few things that will help cut down on useless posts and definitely improve the quality of posts. So here they go:
By the way, such a system is already implemented in some other forums (which make use of vBulletin too) and it is working extremely well.
I understand that it might need a bit of work, but the number of members is increasing rapidly, and I find myself less and less eager to read through 20-page threads of nothingness.
Thank you for your consideration
This has many reasons including Apple expanding its product line (i.e an increase in number of members), people not reading the guidlines (this is the internet, no one reads wikis), or just because posters/new comers don't care.
I came up with a few things that will help cut down on useless posts and definitely improve the quality of posts. So here they go:
- Posting Guildlines and rules must be made a sticky IN every subforum. And displayed in a distinct way, that people browsing a forum can immediately notice it.
- Introducing a banning and probation system. Posters violating posting guildines will be banned for 24hrs/48hrs/1 week depending on the kind of violation. This will make posters think twice before posting something.
- Posts violating posting guildines must not be deleted (read: not evaporate). Instead, the offending post text is replaced with something like "Post removed for violating such and such rule. User banned for 48 hrs" in Bold and in large font. Not just using the "edit reason" field. This helps accomplish two things. The offender will immediately see what he did wrong (instead of wondering around looking for his missing post). Second, other posters on the thread will immediately notice/know what he did wrong, and take extra caution not to do the same.
- More strict posting guidlines. Posts like "LOL" or "hahaha" warrants an instant ban.
- Guildlines should include forum-specific rules. For example, in the picture gallery forum quoting full pictures just to say "cool setup" should lead to an instant ban.
By the way, such a system is already implemented in some other forums (which make use of vBulletin too) and it is working extremely well.
I understand that it might need a bit of work, but the number of members is increasing rapidly, and I find myself less and less eager to read through 20-page threads of nothingness.
Thank you for your consideration