unforum

[Neil]

EDIT: Sorted now. Nothing to see here, folks.

[niobexrev]

Yes, I think there should be stricter mods. However I'm not sure about this:

- Duplicate threads that are already discussed elsewhere should be deleted.

Do you mean subjects discusses at other forum sites like "comingsoon" forum? Because that's the whole reason I came here. Yes, I tried discussing some of my theories there, but didn't get any acknowledgement. Because there was so much pandomonium because it was all on one thread. At first it was fun, but when 10 people post their reply at the same time it's hard to keep up with everything. This place you can post a whole thread on something specific and guaranteed to get at least one response. So I don't think you should delete a thread because it was discussed in another forum. If you mean deleting posts because it's discussed in other threads here at the unform metacortechs forum then I'm all for it.

[addlepated]

The Unforum admins don't have anything to do with any other site but this one. He just meant that if the same subject is talked about in 14 different threads on forums.unfiction.com, the duplicate threads will be deleted and everything merged into one.

[Marl64]

A lot of people are getting sick of this

[jamesi]

Nope, I can't think of any other reason.

Watch your P's and Q's, people... we're a friendly bunch here, and we don't take kindly to people who only want to stir up mis-information and flaming stupidity.

As for the 95% of you who are playing nice, you all get a (virtual) Aero Bar from me. Carry on.

[Mod]

[Ehsan]

Thank you for all your input. We've already started moderating based on your comments. Remember that this isn't a show of power or anything like that, it's just to make the game more enjoyable for everyone.

So just remember to have fun! (and not by trying to ruin the game for others)

[catherwood]

I would vote in favor of blocking anyone from posting as a Guest. (I know that this issue will probably never be put to a vote.) But I would also allow people to register with multiple nicknames if they so choose (maybe to a maximum of three?) Yes, that is a whole 'nuther subject.

As for moderation, it would be extremely useful if the posts could be properly categorized. Updates is for reporting of changes to game sites. Interaction is for reporting of contact to/from game characters. The key word for those threads is *reporting*, not discussion, not spec. Perhaps those sorts of threads need to be restricted to moderator-only postings. (By threads, i guess i mean 'boards' or whatever the phpBB term is for a group of threads.) Didn't other ARGs set aside an area just for SPEC? So far, only the Puzzles category seems to be working as planned. Even there, it would be helpful if a moderator could splinter a thread which talks about 7 different discoveries into 7 different threads for analysis of each piece.

blah blah blah, i'm barely keeping pace here. Thank goodness no one is uploading 24-hour chat logs...

[aliendial]

In my experience the best "modding" is almost complete hands off. That means they do not get into the flow of the discussion or take control of threads unless to make legit in-game points. They delete abuse, vulgarity and over the top flames. But by and large their job is to leave everything IN.

I would not even delete PM-discovery info unless the PMs specifically requested and even then I would push back. If they can't hide that well, they deserve to be discovered. Push the info to a PM thread away from the main game threads and put it aside, but don't delete.

Once you decide that your job is to delete the boring, the repetitive, the obnoxious, the beside the point, the OT stuff, suddenly you've taken over the experience and the players are being sidelined. You're no longer moderating; you're in charge. And that's not much fun for the players. Esp. if such a mod were to miss something in the game and push things the wrong direction. I love the freewheeling nature of the forums but I could never begin to guess what gem will float to the surface out of all the much that gets flung.

Yes, so my vote is MINIMAL MODDING.

[Marl64]

[Insomniac]

Moderate all you want, just make sure people get to share their views and opinions. Also if people keep starting new topics on things that have been discussed numerous times then maybe the original discussion should be labelled "READ THIS".

[joebrent]

Mods are doing a pretty good job so far, as far as I'm concerned. Redundant threads tend to get locked up pretty quick. And newbies who "discover!" stuff that's been common knowledge for weeks usually get trouted to within an inch of their life.

[aqualung1105]

I´m with the sentiment that a more vigorous sorting of topics into fewer, relevant threads and boards is fine - but watch your deletions!

Perhaps a "miscellaneous" or similar section for us to scrutinize in times of low game activity - wherein the "less informative" or going-off-in-weird-directions-speculations posts could reside...