[Closed] Types of forum user

Incidentally,

Flagging up classified-only users might have the opposite effect to the one intended. You're essentially differentiating between safe and unsafe traders; so scammers can satisfy themselves as 'trusted' by whatever ephemeral means required and then rip people off, and now STW is implicated and possibly accountable.

I can't but admins probably can, we can't tell why people stop visiting unless they tell us so yes if we were only to get feedback from those who left because of the felt unwelcome then it could be seen as biased. But it has happened of late and with other evidence it was decided enough was enough as mentioned in Mark's sticky.

According to twitter and some of the stuff that's written here sometimes, you'd swear site traffic was on a par with YouTube. And yet, people leaving in droves and emailing about it prompts a big- hitter clear out?

*joins yosser in itchy chin rub*

That's pretty damning - but it's worth considering you also have a very strong core of users who have been here for longer than they care to remember and generally love the place, but probably don't send you emails saying so. Me for one!

We're very aware of that too and that's another testament to the place.

Which is fair comment and one of the main reasons I stay away as I prefer not to get involved and don't see my job as a forum member as being a moderator. The forum has served me well, but some recent posts have put me off and I don't mean the obvious big hitters. If anything is to be done, it should be done properly.

It's a community and communities rely on the members pointing out anything they're worried about. The mods are few and do it our spare time, that varies and post count if fast. We can sometimes spot when a thread is turning bad or has potential. We can't possibly watch them all it just can't be done so that's why we ask members just to click the report button with a few words to what is up. It seems a shame that post are putting you off and you feel they're not modded but haven't reported them.

According to twitter and some of the stuff that's written here sometimes, you'd swear site traffic was on a par with YouTube. And yet, people leaving in droves and emailing about it prompts a big- hitter clear out?

Droves? Where did I say that. Anyway I don't think we'll agree on this so I'll leave you to scratch your chin.

It's a community and communities rely on the members pointing out anything they're worried about.

As I am sure you are aware I report* but I have no idea what you think of it as i never get a reply so i dont really know what you are after tbh. Some guidelines perhaps?

* am I the only person to report their own post which i have done twice 😳

No, fair comment, you didn't say "droves". I inferred it. But certainly in significant enough quantities to prompt actions.

dont censor f e c k !!

May I just state, for the record, the Brotherhood of Hitting Big in no way sanctioned the recent "out-of-control rogue-arguing" of several former members.

Certain other rogue-arguers continue to cause chaos on forums - these individuals are in no way linked to the Brotherhood.

Remember: enjoy your arguing responsibly

😀

So we've established that user tags are a clumsy knee jerk reaction to a problem that doesn't really exist in any meaningful sense that couldn't be resolved by more moderators?

*applause*

Nah don't bother.

What the mods do need to remember when doing what I would consider 'over moderation" is that loads of folk post on here whilst at work. They don't always have time to think over their posts so at times they may come across the wrong way but unintentionally.

Regarding leaving the forum then I'm sure if there was a 'close account" button the stats may be up. It's not terribly easy to close your account, is it?

As I am sure you are aware I report* but I have no idea what you think of it as i never get a reply so i dont really know what you are after tbh. Some guidelines perhaps?

True we don't reply, well rarely, that's because it takes more time and sometimes leads to arguments. Essentially the guidelines are the forum rules. We do review them although not always straight away and miss the odd one, also sometimes decide that there was nothing to answer for are the post is left.

dont censor f e c k !!

That was discussed for months, the decision was it was being used far too often as an insult and in bad context so it had to go.

What the mods do need to remember when doing what I would consider 'over moderation" is that loads of folk post on here whilst at work. They don't always have time to think over their posts so at times they may come across the wrong way but unintentionally.

Yes but it's very hard for us to judge that.

It's not terribly easy to close your account, is it?

It's impossible.

I visit this site every day. My post CPU t has gone down dramatically over the last couple of years, not because of over modding, but because the same 10 or so boring voices railroading each thread. A couple have gone, and I already see some lame attempts for new wannabes to fill their slots (so to speak). Cressers seems to have decided to make a play for the limelight over the last couple of days.

I love reading the threads, but zone out when it turns into a battle of the egos, so am glad that some have had their necks wound in.

I'm also annoyed by the petty transparent trolls, and would request that any new troll identities are flagged with the original username, just so we could see who is deliberately trying to create a negative atmosphere.

Sites don't really like to have "closed accounts" when selling advertising. I've been trying to close my Adult Friend Finder account for about a month now.

I've been trying to close my Adult Friend Finder account for about a month now.

I wondered where you'd gone.

^ CPU t = count. Bloody phone

I report* but I have no idea what you think of it as i never get a reply so i dont really know what you are after tbh. Some guidelines perhaps?

Yeah that's a point actually. Just a "thanks, we've had a word" or "nah, that's not offensive ya blouse"

am I the only person to report their own post which i have done twice

How exactly did you manage that, given there is no Report Post link on your own posts??

Incidentally,

How does one become a moderator? I'd entertain the idea if you need more, I'm certainly around often enough.

How exactly did you manage that, given there is no Report Post link on your own posts??

He emailed us.

Yeah that's a point actually. Just a "thanks, we've had a word" or "nah, that's not offensive ya blouse"

Noted on the thanks.

Moderation gone mad, people labelled on the basis of some office dwellers opinion based on a forum posting which is not always able to communicate the correct emotion or meaning as it doesn't contain other elements of human communication (ie physical expression)

Bad idea, invasion of freedom, inappropriate judgement, insulting.

If it happens, kiss my subscription goodbye, your mag isn't worth all that.

I knew I would have to explain
i used the post above mine and said it was mine

the two were I called Pete Towshend an offensive name for a sex offender - i forget what exactly and the forum started debating the legality of this so i let the mods know. i think the post was unchanged

I also posted this picture - I still have the e-mails saying its ok - during the last great crack down
[img] [/img]
EDIT: Yes I think I did e-mail the later one actually 😳

As GrahamS says just some yes that is what we want no that is ok would do as we all know the rules but we often debate their meaning.
I am sure some would expect a chat with you over it but I dont I just want to be helpful/responsible community user

[url= http://www.phased.co.uk/index.php/mtb-forum-guidelines.html ]I classified STW users way back..might still work?[/url]

Incidentally,

How does one become a moderator? I'd entertain the idea if you need more, I'm certainly around often enough.

Ninjas visit you at night. It's no secret known the ST lot for years now after becoming friends with them, that's kind of how I was recruited. I think it's more of being recruited rather than volunteering, I may be wrong though.

Thank you for the several relevant comments. I'm sensing a vibe of no interest in the option, or at most something completely vague. I have noted your other comments. I'll wait for the day crowd to chip in.

For those who don't understand the issue behind the scenes, the moderators block a large number of spammers, trolls, bots, and others every day. These normally have a pattern. For example a new account from Asia or Tor posting a thread about dresses at 6am containing a link to their site in their first post is a likely candidate for a swift ban. Someone who only posts 'hello' in random threads is also probably up to no good. The moderators are right to want to identify them even before they're reported.

This thread however, is merely a request for suggestions for some fun or informative labels, if you want them.

Just like at Cambridge. History prof tapped me up for MI5.
Now I assassinate northerners for a living. It pays well.

This thread is absolutely ****ing retarded

^^^^mod material^^^^^

Still on stabilisers
Wobbly
Rides no-handed
God of Gnar

I still think tags are a good idea.

slainte ❓ rob

First they came for the Trolls,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Troll.

Then they came for the Big Hitters,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Big Hitter.

Then they came for those of a tory/conservative bent
and I didn't speak out because I'm not a tory.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.

This thread is absolutely **** retarded

Thanks for your feedback.

It's a community and communities rely on the members pointing out anything they're worried about.

There's a good few members pointing out that the ban hammer may have been swung a bit too enthusiastically lately. To be fair, there's also been a good bit of support for it too.
But it seems the mods/admin only want to hear one side of that discussion.
Personally, I'd like to see some sort of amnesty with those swatted given another chance. IMO, 10 years is too long, but a month or two is still a decent deterrent to being silly.

IMO, 10 years is too long, but a month or two is still a decent deterrent to being silly.

Sadly this has proved to be unsuccessful.

Personally, I'd like to see some sort of amnesty with those swatted given another chance. IMO, 10 years is too long, but a month or two is still a decent deterrent to being silly.

As a relative newcomer here I figure that there's always more loudmouths to fill the void.

What about user-settable flags? We could have check boxes.

Road / HT / Bouncy
Helmet
Left wing / Liberal / Right wing
Conspiracy theorist
Atheist / Christian / minority religion
iPhone / Android
Windows / Mac / Linux
Alternative therapies

... and so on. Would save a lot of time.

Whilst I like the lack of extra faff around the post, a single tag to replace 'Member' could work.

How about providing a user with a selection for them to choose their own from? Tags available and number of choices could be defined by your criteria - more choice for more established members say. Bespoke choices could be added for the 'spoon wrangler' etc.

Sadly this has proved to be unsuccessful.

Track first / second / third offence and give out exponential bans accordingly. Accrued strikes can expire over time.

Bagsy the tag 'Photoshop Bully'! \o/

The fact that this is necessary is a bit 😯

How about messaging the offenders with some kind of warning - could be automated or typed to suit...

[i]Personally, I'd like to see some sort of amnesty with those swatted given another chance. IMO, 10 years is too long, but a month or two is still a decent deterrent to being silly.[/i]

But how do bannings work? Can the banned user not just set up a new account with a different email address?

And as for returning after a two month ban, is it really that important to some people that they would count down the days until their return. I'd forget about it after a few weeks.

[u][b]loum[/b][/u] - [u][i]Crocodile Fighter[/i][/u]

When do the tags start?

Fun/quirky tags by forum users names doesn't seem to suit this forum and the mentalitly of how it is run. On other forums i use they do add to the banter and slightly childish humor/ribbing that goes on, most of which is already frowned apon on here.

Would doubling each ban not work that way they are forced to take a break...perhaps you could reset it if you take this up ...at least for the person who suggested it
For me the bans and the warnings do work as i try to stop
From the mods point of view they fact they do still have to give me a gentle reminder/nudge is probably proof they dont work.

People like GW deserve a tag as very little they say has any actual merit and they just wants a reaction- I dont see why he has stayed tbh

Can the banned user not just set up a new account with a different email address?

Would doubling each ban not work that way they are forced to take a break...perhaps you could reset it if you take this up ...at least for the person who suggested it

Not for everyone it doesn't.

Anyway back on topic what do people think of titles and suggestions?

Off for some kip.

A system of being thanked for posts and being helpful can work quite well. The detailing world forum has this in place and you have a stat next to your user name displaying for example..

Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Newark, Notts
Posts: 13
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 8 Posts

and also a piss take title for how many posts you have which in the case of STW could be.. boardman, gnarly dude, Singlespeed magnum, big hitter, banned again.. etc etc

and also a piss take title for how many posts you have which in the case of STW could be..

Maybe that could be implemented for rules transgressions. If a ban isn't effective for some people, maybe having a user description of "argumentative shithouse" for a couple of weeks might work.

Anyway back on topic what do people think of tags

honestly think it's a divisive and gash idea, but I'm an infrequent user and minnow in the sea of Singletrack so my opinion will rate as much lower than those that have the ear if the mods. 😀

IIRC I was banned for asking about an Audi, no reason given, no apology given either and I'm still in the dark as to why the ban happened.
Is asking about Audis a rule transgression? Seems a bit strong to me.

Everything I say here has some merit.

Or carrying on Cougar's idea, a little more detail on the "trigger topic" to allow the community to assist them with rehabilitation. 😉
political argumentative shithouse ,
religious argumentative shithouse ,
wendyball argumentative shithouse ,
nuclear argumentative shithouse ,
Long travel steel frame argumentative shithouse.

to assist them with rehabilitation

you see, that's all a bit "thought crime" and 1984 for my liking.You can't expect everyone to get along in a happy consenting utopia and just "vanish" those that dissent or send them to the ministry of re-education.

or you can, but you will end up with bland, stagnant mess, where there is limited discussion and in jokes become so introverted that it's even less appealing to newcomers.

I think you should introduce a "dead pan" smilie (the irony!)

Some users take some posts a bit to literally. Come on, its only the internet, not real life. Its all a big laugh really.

I mostly come on here to tell the truth (most dont want to hear it though) and give helpful advice, I dont want to get a bad name for myself.

i like some of the tag suggestions and think some fun options would be a boost.
i would also like a couple of extra categories for users.. 'Bikes Stolen' 'Bikes Found' 'Tyres' plus a 'member since' and 'post count' would be good.

a 'like' and 'dislike' button would also be useful.

However, i suspect from the tone of the admins/mods already on this thread that its a foregone conclusion that there will be no changes, in case a delicate flower flouncemails the admins.

how 'bout a trial of some of the suggestions then get some feedback?

press the 'like' button if you agree*

*oh shit, you can't.

I like the idea of tags/nicknames.

What the moderators see remains undisclosed.

Though I presume you can find out what they've labelled you with? Data Protection and all that...

actually, I honestly think the user-inserted tags were the best bit of this forum in recent times - they got a bit petty at times but overall I thought they were good fun and (if modded a bit) would offer a judgement of a thread rather than a user. The forum has lost a lot of the banter that it had ages ago, presumably intentionally and permanently but the tags were a means to recover a bit of that IMO

Or else the mods could put up tags for particular threads - "beware, tit for tat political pointscoring" etc

(I know "P" members can put up tags, but it seems only when making a post and TBH they're not so much fun that way; you might as well just remove the option if they have to stay like this )

Admittedly when they first changed it I did sometimes post just in order to add a tag 😉

I always liked volvo for sale ! - never really got why though

Tom, as it's late August not early April 😉 I can only assume that you have a wicked and highly developed sense of humour. You guys must be having such a giggle.

I have to say that I'm in full agreement with Cougar on the idea of exponential bans for trolling and over-arguing.

As I'm also teh awesums with algorithms I suggest using base pi, so from first to tenth ban you would have (approximately):

1 day
3 days
10 days
1 month
3 months
10 months
2 years 6 months
8 years
25 years
80 years

I reckon some of the big-arguers on here just spent too much time here, and a month doesn't enable them to reengage with the real world. Exponential bans give a better idea to people that they're on thin ice and need to self-moderate their behaviour if they want to remain.

To help the moderators we are adding various reports and warning signals to identify suspect troublemakers. You won't get to see these...

Why are you even telling us this? Is it to scare us?

Regarding the rest of the thread; I consider myself to be reasonably savvy but I'm utterly confused. I can only side with THM in assuming the whole thing is an elaborate joke.

Mods/STW doing the tags ...nice touch 😆

For those not up early - the number of Spam Sales posts is growing. Being on the same side of the world as the spammers I see (and report) a lot. The last couple were nearly in context.

Member Since would be a good stat or at least "It's my First Day", 1st Week/Month etc.

Would allow new users to see who is who and allow people to spot trolls/spam a little quicker.

As much as it could be a p*ssing contest a Banned List or at least a post in the offending thread would let people know what was going on.

Also a "Warning" score against a user would let people know they were a trouble maker.

Sorry, just back from the pub, so not in a great state to digest this thread, but can I have 'crocodile fighter' next to my name please. That sounds fantastic!!.

D'you know what? I actually quite like things the way they are. The recent bannings seem to have stabilised things, the mods aren't actually too "in your face" and there have been loads of excellent threads. Of course there are some characters that annoy me, some are over-eager to jump in on a discussion, some are frankly bizarre, but that's just like life off the forum too.

I'm on another forum which has user tags, swearing and lots of general piss-taking but that works as it's a small community where most members have met - and ridden with - most of the others. That level of informality can never be replicated on something as large as STW.

Is it still good value to be a Premier member? I reckon so. I only ever really subscribed to the mag to support the forum so the option of only being an electronic subscriber works out really well.

So - to the mods - just leave things the way they are.

Just read quickly through, and I'm totally, 100% with druidh ^^ on this, and, as GrahamS said,

but it's worth considering you also have a very strong core of users who have been here for longer than they care to remember and generally love the place, but probably don't send you emails saying so. Me for one!

That level of informality can never be replicated on something as large as STW.

It used to be

[quote=zokes ]That level of informality can never be replicated on something as large as STW.
It used to be
I'll take your word for it. I've only been a member since 2005.

I'll take your word for it. I've only been a member since 2005.

Perhaps it's sarcasm like this they're trying to get rid of? 💡

referring to Member Since, I quite like that, as someone who was on here at the time of the Badger Thread that was posted the other day. 2003;

Pfft noob!

. Of course there are some characters that annoy me, some are over-eager to jump in on a discussion

I think it's fine as is, a post count beside each user would only encourage the usual suspects to post even more to achieve a "big hitter" post count.

It ain't broke....

'member since...' and 'post count' alongside the username might be useful; can't quite see the rationale or usefullness of any of those 'hilarious' different types of poster categories.

I'm increasingly coming to the conclusion that this was the modz messing around. Bloody hilarious bunch they are.

I enjoyed Pete's "Troll" tag, and would find identifying but amusing tags, just that.. amusing.
Being able to see at a glance if some-one is a newbie (without using that "word" as the tag) would be useful to divert the bores from picking on them for etiquette mistakes (or for posting the same old question again).

Post counts are rubbish and become targets for the competitive, along with tags that rank you for the same reason (I'd ask the newbie one be the only exception).
Maybe implement it with an option to ask for a re-assignment for those tender souls who feel they've been insulted might be useful, but would probably be more unnecessary work for the mods

I've been around a while (not from the beginning), though like most, lurked for probably a year or so before posting regularly (due to being a newbie to the sport). There too many ppl with rose tinted specs, the old days were as bad as of late, with the big hitters/cliques ruling the roost and new ppl being too scared to offer an opinion for fear of derision. The less of that the better, though to me this forum is refreshing & attractive for it's lack of post counts, ranks, signatures, & numerous sub-forum.

D'you know what? I actually quite like things the way they are. The recent bannings seem to have stabilised things, the mods aren't actually too "in your face" and there have been loads of excellent threads.

+1

Good job guys.

Can we have the old tag functionality back though please? It ws nice to be able to bully people in a less in-your-face way than just posting on their threads.

Can we have the old tag functionality back though please? It ws nice to be able to bully people in a less in-your-face way than just posting on their threads.

Agreed. I rather liked the tags, even though I was often the target of many! Obviously, if there's tag-abuse, it should be treated just like any other forum transgression.

My thoughts:
I enjoyed the tags too.
I don't want post count [You can see their forum history if you're [i]that[/i] interested]
I don't want rep or thanks.
If user type tag were to exist, it should be a choice the user makes from a selection.
Premier users can have custom ones.

Oh boy!!

From what I perceive to have been started as a genuine and well intentioned proposal and subsequent request for feedback, it now seems that, 5 pages in, to have become rather unwieldy and fraught with upsetting certain sensibilities. Come on people!!

I was one of the VERY first members here, back in whenever it was, my username then was TimB. I rejoined a year or so ago and for some reason or other (I think the site and forum was re-launched), couldn't use my original log-in. I cant honestly remember how the forum was back in the early days, except to say that I met and rode with a number of peeps on here and thoroughly enjoyed your/their company both in the real world and on here. I suspect that that has not changed and I'm sure I would be welcomed to join a ride as much now as I was 10 years ago.

That said, I sense that not much has changed within the forum, there are still ego's that need to be massaged and strokes to be given and received. Our one main point of reference is that we all LOVE our bikes - ne c'est pas?

Why not have tags? I like some of the suggestions and reading through this thread last night and this morning has had me at times in stitches of laughter - thank you!

But why fear change? It is after all the only thing we can be sure of (thanks to Mr Ford). What if we give it a go and feedback suggests it's liked or not and appropriate action taken as to whether the additional info remains?

For those who are opposed to the proposal, what have you to fear by it?
That you might be found out with several aliases? That your propensity for devils advocacy is found wanting?

Generally speaking, I suspect that we are all intelligent enough to work out who is who after a short while and we as individuals can choose whether to take the bait or treat it as someone's desperate attempts to become a big cog in a little cassette.

I vote for trying something new/ish and I'm not going to suggest what the additional info might or could be - after all there are plenty of excellent suggestions so far.

Strikes me though that not to utilise the experience of other forum mods who also use this forum, would be daft. Colournoise seems to be able to contribute to this process particularly well IMO.

Anyway, keep up the humour folks and remember - it's just an internet forum, worse things happen at sea yadda yadda

Peace out.