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Post by alvin on Jul 10, 2009 19:04:06 GMT
I am quite happy with the new Forum look is at this time.
I am a bit disturbed that, evidently Paul has decided/thinking to re-instate the SMITE option. I am also surprised at this apparent, pending decision as he started a thread over a year ago in which he asked Members our thoughts on this. As my memory serves me, most Members would rather not have the SMITE option for various reason, mainly to cut down further on ill feelings between Members. I believe that apparently the minority wanted to retain it. After the discussion on this thread, Paul dropped the SMITE option, whether in response to the opinions of the Members, I don't really know.
/index.cgi?board=forumcafe&action=display&thread=4583
I have noticed that some who are screeching the loudest for a return to the SMITE option are what I consider to be middle-aged frat-boys and, if the SMITE option is re-instated, will invite that option to be used towards themselves. Thus inviting the possibility of silly SMITE WARS.
One objection of those who desire a return of the SMITE option is that it is somehow a "counter-weight or balance” to those who have received too many KARMA's. As Paul has stated, the KARMA is not an indication of the "worth" of a Member, but mainly an indicator of his/her popularity.
/index.cgi?board=tenchincal&action=display&thread=3568
I see a return to the SMITE option as disruptive. I do like the new PM function that would explain just why one Member decides to SMITE another Member. That will indeed stop "shadow-smitting"(sp?) which was the reason for Paul's thread. But I would suggest that the PM also be immediately posted on the Forum for the other Members to see what has taken place. Or, in lieu of that, have a “stickied” thread set aside for a "smitten" Member to post the PM and his defense. This will allow other Members to be aware of who the "Smitters" are and why they are smitting other Members. This only if the smitten Member should choose to do so.
I hope that this option is not re-instated. Problems can be discussed via posting and/or through PMs. If things get "out of hand" then maybe the "moderators" should maybe do something, either on-Forum or privately via PM, besides sometimes participating in off color posts themselves.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 10, 2009 19:14:52 GMT
I have noticed that some who are screeching the loudest for a return to the SMITE option are what I consider to be middle-aged frat-boys and, if the SMITE option is re-instated, will invite that option to be used toward themselves. Thus inviting the possibility of silly SMITE WARS. I really hope that this is not directed at me... as I have stepped away from the last time you insulted me without reason or provocation in my mind, it would be really poor form if you were jumping on me again. Even if you are NOT directing this my way, "middle-aged frat-boys" Really? So far all I have seen is a basic philosophical discussion about the merits of a counterbalance to the karma feature... and then YOU come in throwing insults? Pot... meet kettle. Maybe you should reconsider your poorly chosen words?
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Post by randomnobody on Jul 10, 2009 19:43:56 GMT
Come on guys, don't make me smite you.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 10, 2009 19:46:19 GMT
Come on guys, don't make me smite you. Hey, if you honestly feel I deserve it, I'm fine with it.
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Post by brotherbanzai on Jul 10, 2009 20:57:29 GMT
Alright, it's Pauls site and he's free to do what he want's with it. But here's my feedback in any case. The background looks fine, I don't see any purpose for it, but it looks fine. The pinkish beige background in the posts is a little hard on the eyes.
The funky font for the menu items and the bottons and especially the framed boxes with member stats make it look like we're playing some kind of role playing game on the computer rather than being on a forum. Would be perfect if this was a dungeons and dragons forum. Not really the best way to be taken seriously though. Just my opinion.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 10, 2009 21:08:03 GMT
The funky font for the menu items and the bottons and especially the framed boxes with member stats make it look like we're playing some kind of role playing game on the computer rather than being on a forum. Would be perfect if this was a dungeons and dragons forum. Not really the best way to be taken seriously though. Just my opinion. I didn't think of it, but now that you mention it, it DOES have that RPG stat-block look to it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2009 21:22:47 GMT
So how do I level up in this game M.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2009 22:02:12 GMT
I think the place is looking really good and I like it. Thank you Paul for the work
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2009 23:42:45 GMT
Would that it were a MMORPG. Most have a chat filter where you can "ignore" certain irritating players!
Also, one of the first things you learn playing those games is: ignore the trolls!
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Post by alvin on Jul 10, 2009 23:50:52 GMT
Would that it were a MMORPG. Most have a chat filter where you can "ignore" certain irritating players! Also, one of the first things you learn playing those games is: ignore the trolls! Damned Right Morgor!! + 1 2 U.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2009 0:09:28 GMT
Really liking the current look. It's good to see the announcement and "sticky" posts in separate blocks than the regular posts. Very unique feel!
And when it comes to the karma/smite debate... I just really don't see a need for it in the first place. When it comes down to it the people with more karma are the ones who have been here for the longest and chat the most, not necessarily those who appear to be the most knowledgeable and friendly (which is what I look for when searching for answers!). It's not to say that I don't care what my fellow forumites think of me, because I do. But I just don't put that much stock into the "point" system.
Lets not argue guys! This is, after all, the Internet. And nothing is more retarded than arguing in the Internets ;D .
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Post by randomnobody on Jul 11, 2009 0:36:30 GMT
About the only thing I think I'd like to see next is bigger, bolder text for the links up top (ie. the ones that break down where on the forum you are, such as right now the SBG Sword Forum:: General :: General Discussion Board :: (etc.). They're rather hard to make out as they are, but bigger and fatter would fix that easily. I agree that the page now looks like some sort of MMORPG menu...but I don't really mind that so much. One other very minor gripe is the background doesn't display on my mobile browser; comes up that lovely dark gray color...but whatever, I'm over it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2009 1:21:27 GMT
DO NOT LIKE SQUISHED BOXES!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2009 1:33:48 GMT
Hi guys.
Please forgive me. Its late here. Not too late but after a long shift....its late.
Anyway its nice to see that while one persons opinions are considered complaining when other members post what is basically the same it equals something different.
Quote mining and ad hominem attacks are morally and intelligently impoverished.
Karma, for all practical purposes, is pointless. Whatever state it ends up in really doesn't matter. Anyone with an iota of forum experience or a lepton of intelligence can see through it. It isn't needed. Just get rid of it. Do you really need more bandwidth and time take up with PMs explaining the microscopical details of each smite?
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 11, 2009 2:41:49 GMT
Karma, for all practical purposes, is pointless. Whatever state it ends up in really doesn't matter. Anyone with an iota of forum experience or a lepton of intelligence can see through it. It isn't needed. Just get rid of it. Do you really need more bandwidth and time take up with PMs explaining the microscopical details of each smite? I pretty much agree with you... I'd rather see the whole system removed. However, I still feel if you are going to use it, but you don't allow negative as well as positive modifiers to the system, you are using only half the system and then it REALLY is meaningless.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2009 2:53:52 GMT
I for one,.... (maybe the only one from what i have read thus far) am glad to see some work being put into a new "fresh look" for the forum. Too often, the black-on-white texts seem to be read the wrong way, or too much is read into a statement that may have been meant in a friendly or sarcastic way.
Now, is changing the color of the text, or the color of the background going to suddenly make everyone's intentions perfectly clear?
No, of course not...
But there is a slight difference in "the feel" of the board... Maybe its just refreshing to see something different, instead of constantly staring at that never ending "contrast duel" between the words & their background. This may be just the type of thing that this forum needs... Little things, like changing the look or style, can breathe new life into a board.
Naturally, there are going to be folks who want the old look to come back. There will be some who hate it, or make some rather insulting comparisons of Paul's efforts. Maybe a few who are "on the fence" about whether or not they like it... And possibly?.... someone who likes to see that our admin cares enough about HIS forum to update & revamp it from time to time.
As for the karma system....
I will say that i find it to be very useful... There are rare cases where "haters" will smite you just because they feel like it. But now with the message requirement that will no longer be an issue. If you feel someone is being a jerk, then you can smite them, which automatically takes the disagreement (or pending disagreement) to the PM arena, and keeps the public board free of petty arguments.
It also will make people more hesitant to go around smiting people all willy-nilly. If they know that "this person is going to know it was ME who smote them, maybe i should have a legitimate beef...?" This should keep people from abusing the smite feature.
Put it this way,....
When i see someone has 2,000 posts, and only 4 karma, it suggests that most people don't like - or - don't agree with what that party says. It may just be that they only post "one liners", or sarcastic answers to serious inquiries? Maybe they are a jerk? Who knows?
Does that mean i shouldn't trust them? Or write them off as someone who knows nothing?
No,.... obviously not.
But its not a bad gauge of a persons character.
I know RicWilly doesn't really care about the karma system one way or the other, but i will use him as an example (if he doesn't mind).
RicWilly - 362 karma's
If i was new to SBG, that would tell me that this guy has gotten a lot of thanks & admiration for something...?
Seeing that i read Ric's contributions (both posts & his MANY reviews) i see why he has that karma.
Like i said, a good judge of character... Doesn't mean that a person with a ton of karma is any better than one without it... But it does mean that enough people felt that the contributions made by that person warrant the ole "virtual high five!"
Thanks to Paul for his efforts, Thanks to those who recognize the work that our staff puts into this board. Thanks to our more objective members who aren't terrified of change.
And most importantly,
Thanks for this forum, because i like it no matter what it looks like.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 11, 2009 6:57:19 GMT
Very well said Jim... in fact, worthy of some of that Karma you were talking about. +1
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Post by admin on Jul 11, 2009 8:16:14 GMT
Seems that we had just one too many technical issues with the new skin, so I have been forced to scrap it and go back to the drawing board. The current format is pretty much the same as the old one, and in truth will probably do - as a pretty looking forum doesn't matter as much as a functional one.. Likely I may add a sidebar or two, but unless I can repair the issues that were plaguing the new format (which I don't think I can) - this will probably be the final incarnation - which is essentially the same as the 'old one', just a bit spruced up here and there. As a side note, the karma opt out feature should be back and there are a few more tweaks I have in mind (I really liked the seperation of the stickies, will try to find another way to do this) but otherwise, what you see now is likely to be what you'll get. Thanks all for bearing with me through some disconcerting changes and code issues! - Paul
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2009 10:13:57 GMT
Seems that we had just one too many technical issues with the new skin, so I have been forced to scrap it and go back to the drawing board. As a side note, the karma opt out feature should be back and there are a few more tweaks I have in mind (I really liked the seperation of the stickies, will try to find another way to do this) but otherwise, what you see now is likely to be what you'll get. Thanks all for bearing with me through some disconcerting changes and code issues! - Paul Paul, Glad you got it going again. Everything appears to be working fine now. Sounds like you had a long night :>). I also liked the seperation of the stickies, that was a nice feature. I think the Karma is not only a fun thing, but it does help me a bit in discerning between posters. Thanks to all you do Paul, I am new here but already feel so welcome by you, and all the rest here. It is funny how personal I feel about this community you have built! -gaffer
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2009 12:55:15 GMT
Somehow I managed to create a constructive conversation out of this. Okay kidding, this was actually exactly what I was aiming for. A neutral objective discussion on improvements or the possibility to leave things as they are. I also think this discussion has influenced certain enhancements to the "original" lay-out as it was in the process of being revisioned and worked on. My personal complaints were basically revolving around the loss of contrast which have partly been solved now. I sometimes feel the background makes my screen lag when I scroll down quickly.
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