Recently, there has been an "in before lock" fad at AI. Basically, when someone starts a thread that people think will get locked, people try to add a comment saying "in before lock" or something similar before the thread gets locked by a mod. I think these comments are bad for several reasons.
1.They have no content. They add nothing to the thread. All they do is add to the poster's post count and possibly his/her ego count.
2.They are an attempt to usurp the authority of the moderators. The moderators are the ones who have been vested with the authority to lock threads. An attempt to basically lock a thread by popular consent is not appropriate. If you think threads should be locked by popular vote, then suggest it in this forum.
3.Most importantly, they can derail or almost derail a nascent discussion. Often, while the topic-starter's post is perhaps lock-worthy, other posters often modify it slightly so a respectable discussion can be had. However, the IBL posts disrupt this process. One example of a derailed thead is <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002472" target="_blank">here.</a> The mod who locked the thread commented that "this thread has moved away from being about...." This was due is part to the IBL posts. An example of an almost-derailed thread can be found <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002480" target="_blank">here.</a> While early on there were many IBL posts, a good discussion developed. The attempt of several users to second-guess the mods resulted in only a bunch of useless posts.
So what should we do about it? First, if anybody has any reasons that the IBL posts are good, I'd like to hear them. I think if a concensus is reached that IBL threads are bad, and this is advertised in the text at the top of the forums page, then the practice will stop. If this does not stop it, then perhaps the Posting Guidlines should be amended.
[ 09-20-2002: Message edited by: qazII ]</p>
1.They have no content. They add nothing to the thread. All they do is add to the poster's post count and possibly his/her ego count.
2.They are an attempt to usurp the authority of the moderators. The moderators are the ones who have been vested with the authority to lock threads. An attempt to basically lock a thread by popular consent is not appropriate. If you think threads should be locked by popular vote, then suggest it in this forum.
3.Most importantly, they can derail or almost derail a nascent discussion. Often, while the topic-starter's post is perhaps lock-worthy, other posters often modify it slightly so a respectable discussion can be had. However, the IBL posts disrupt this process. One example of a derailed thead is <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002472" target="_blank">here.</a> The mod who locked the thread commented that "this thread has moved away from being about...." This was due is part to the IBL posts. An example of an almost-derailed thread can be found <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002480" target="_blank">here.</a> While early on there were many IBL posts, a good discussion developed. The attempt of several users to second-guess the mods resulted in only a bunch of useless posts.
So what should we do about it? First, if anybody has any reasons that the IBL posts are good, I'd like to hear them. I think if a concensus is reached that IBL threads are bad, and this is advertised in the text at the top of the forums page, then the practice will stop. If this does not stop it, then perhaps the Posting Guidlines should be amended.
[ 09-20-2002: Message edited by: qazII ]</p>
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. But don't worry the squad mods and the mighties Admin are present 
I think if we have to resort to nitpicking like this, we've got too many mods hanging around...
