As I said, I gave up on that site years ago, but I would argue that the rules of most forums are invalid and anachronistic. The proof is that they basically don't work anymore, here or there.
I'm not saying I have the answer, but there definitely needs to be a complete re-think on how moderation is accomplished before it will ever start working again (if that's even possible).
I would argue that the emphasis on "swear words" for instance is ridiculous, and that the secondary emphasis on "personal attacks" as "a line that must not be crossed" is also. This is legislation against human nature and pretends we are all robots. The idea that the whole system works off of "user complaints" seems equally flawed to me as well. That just means the whiners get their way.
Also, nothing personal, but the sheer arbitrariness of moderation is always a problem regardless of who's doing it. I've been a moderator myself on boards and forums going back to before the web even existed and it's really impossible to be 100% fair and even handed no matter how much you try.
It's definitely either an impossible task or a task that requires some very new and different approach. I tend to think that it's not impossible but that's just me.
Plus there are trolls on that site just begging to be insulted. I've been reported and suspended a few times in my 8 years commenting there. Each time the a-hole had it coming.
Cases on iPhone give protection agains scratching and other physical damage by dropping. They don't need protection against bending. Plastic phones do, but there is no acceptable size rigid protective case that can beat iPhone unibody design. iPhone glass will not break by bending. iPhone are of unprecedented physical quality.
That forum is awful! I like the short blog-lik articles and I like Arn Kim, but that forum is worthless. Yet it gets a huge number of posters and replies. I think it's where the people that posted on Digg moved to.
I've said it before, AI's forum is the best I've ever been on. Not just for Apple, computer, or tech related news, but in general.
Even sites like AnandTech fail to have the engaging conversations found here. Their main article forum simply doesn't lend to having a conversation and their proper forum, while very in-depth, is usually more focused on posters on pimping some setting or some specific knowledge-base with little to know interest in sharing for sake of educating -and- being educated.
i'm always amazed at the caliber of comments and range of topics found on this forum. I have to learned a lot over the years and like to think I've given something back to the community.
I find AI and The Verge to be the most authentic when it comes to engaging conversation.
Will this matter to Google that much? The majority of Google's mobile revenues come from iOS, no?
It's very clear that Android isn't important to Google in the long run. Larry Page himself said that he's "not sure" that Android is very important to Google:
Yes, Google makes more money from iOS (from ad revenue) than from all of Android. In fact, Google only generates $1.70 of revenue per Android device per year.
And it's rapidly changing for the worse. Siri just shows you what it thinks is the right answer, without Google search's pay-for-placement spammy ads on a browser page, and in many cases totally without using Google search at all. The Wolfram Alpha and Yelp services are just the start.
So no, losing even more Android revenue as Samsung cuts its heart out (the "profit layer") then possibly replaces Android completely with Tizen, may not hurt Google much in the long run. Certainly not as much as dumping $12.5 billion on Motorola solely for thousands of useless patents.
No, Google will do what Microsoft did. Microsoft made a half-hearted attempt at success in the post-PC era, then fell back on their core competencies: legacy Windows + Office + Enterprise. Google is making a half-hearted attempt at a mobile OS, but soon they will be forced to fall back on AdSense advertisements on web pages. They've already removed ad blocker apps from Google Play. Never forget: 96% of Google's revenue comes from ads. Google will certainly never forget that.
The rampant fragmentation and forking of Android will lead to one or more of the forks being more popular than Google's generic baseline releases. The Samsung fork, if and when it happens, would instantly become the de facto standard. And it won't have the Google Profit Layer (tm) any more. Replaced by Samsung's "Sam Hub," and other proprietary stores and services.
This is why ChromeOS is so important to Google. Because it's designed to handle AdSense ads.
Yes, Google makes more money from iOS (from ad revenue) than from all of Android. In fact, Google only generates $1.70 of revenue per Android device per year.
I wonder if that's based on activations. If so, that would mean proper smartphones running Android, not just a feature phone with Android for the OS, are having to pick up a lot of slack as many of those feature phones simply aren't being used as smartphone users would naturally expect.
It is extremely unlikely that you're going to accidentally apply enough force to bend an iPhone.
I agree that's it's highly unlikely but it's not impossible. Apple used plastic in the 3G/3GS and I don't recall anyone criticizing them for it especially since it was a step backward from the original iPhone. Was there a problem with the 3G/S bending and breaking? No so why should it all of a sudden be a concern?
I agree that's it's highly unlikely but it's not impossible. Apple used plastic in the 3G/3GS and I don't recall anyone criticizing them for it especially since it was a step backward from the original iPhone. Was there a problem with the 3G/S bending and breaking? No so why should it all of a sudden be a concern?
What?! They were criticized constantly for exactly what you said "a step backwards." Then you have people like DaHarder claiming it wasn't masculine enough when they made the change. Apple wins in the sales and profits but when it comes to the anti-Apple rhetoric they are drowning in it. I suppose that's the price of having an excessive amount of mindshare.
What?! They were criticized constantly for exactly what you said "a step backwards." Then you have people like DaHarder claiming it wasn't masculine enough when they made the change. Apple wins in the sales and profits but when it comes to the anti-Apple rhetoric they are drowning in it. I suppose that's the price of having an excessive amount of mindshare.
Ahh gotcha, I was still stuck in feature phone hell in 2008.
You are so correct. These are supposed to be "all about Apple" sites but lately it seems like they're going with whatever seems to be popular. Which is fine I guess if that's what they want to do, they have the right, but if that's the route they're going to go then rename the site.
The problem was when Apple refreshed so many devices in one shot leaving sites like AI a huge void to fill in the following months. Normally the new iPad would've been on the forefront of discussions here.
Plus there are trolls on that site just begging to be insulted. I've been reported and suspended a few times in my 8 years commenting there. Each time the a-hole had it coming.
I was put in time out there for suggesting when the S4 comes out everyone who has an S3 will upgrade and won't complain about repairability and upgradeability like they do with Apple products. Just pointing out the hypocrisy of people who rag on Apple every time they get a low score from iFixit, yet are the first ones to buy an new android phone or complain that Apple isn't updating their product lines quick enough to keep up with Android OEM's. obviously someone must have reported me for it. How ridiculous.
It's not at all impossible to moderate a forum with strong fan-bases from two competing platforms. It's also possible to be fair as moderators. I've done it for several years as have other fellow moderators I work with. We don't all think alike nor support the same platforms, but we respect each other and encourage each moderator to communicate with the others regularly to make sure we play fair to both sides of the aisle. While an individual mod is sure to have his own personal preferences and bias, by working as a team we each keep the others in check. No moderator gets away with insulting, belittling or disrespecting another forum member without being called on the carpet for it by one of the others, and we're expected to do so by the site administration. It's not that hard to do if there's a commitment to it.
You also make fair rules that encourage every member to get involved without fear of ridicule and strictly enforce those without resorting to the same tactics you're trying to stop. Neither AI nor most of the other sites mentioned will do so regularly and that's at the root of it.
A good first step should be zero tolerance for egregious trolling no matter your OS, product or feature allegiance. If someone's primary contribution is as a serial abuser of other members why should forum leaders care if they continue to have posting privileges? A "fan" from any camp can be just as much a troll as anyone else and should not be allowed to act as one for the health and sanity of the forum.
Second, moderators should help move the conversations back on track when they stray, directing posters to the proper thread for their comments if necessary. If required for clarity move posts into a new or existing thread (with a proper redirect noted) if they've seriously distracted from the topic at hand.
Third, moderators should immediately step in at the first sign of personal attacks, false accusations or improper language. None of those activities benefit a forum in any way and cannot be allowed. Don't wait until 10 more posters have jumped in to do the same before trying wrest back control. By then it's too late and much of the damage done. As moderators we've turned many offensive new members into at least tolerable if not downright courteous contributors by simply advising them of the rules as needed and then seeing they were enforced fairly. The few that couldn't adapt moved on the other sites to infect them instead. Outside of spammers we've rarely had to resort to banning, and it's been as a last resort. Encouragement and direction from the mods is usually enough to sway members into at least respecting each other even if they may vehemently disagree.
Finally the site administrators should support their moderators efforts 100%, giving them the tools needed to efficiently police the forum with minimal demands on their time.
That's just a few suggestions. It's not impossible to maintain a forum where intelligent and courteous discourse is the rule.For various reasons too few tech-related sites choose to make the effort.
Just my 2 cents
What waffle.
ypu who gave insulted me and now complaining about others.
The problem was when Apple refreshed so many devices in one shot leaving sites like AI a huge void to fill in the following months. Normally the new iPad would've been on the forefront of discussions here.
Much as I generally dislike your posts, I have to cede a point here.
It's funny, when the iPhone 4 was just rumoured in the leaks from Gizmodo you were misogynistically wanting that design to be real as you pejoratively claimed that their beveled, polycarbonate iPhone 3G/3Gs designs were too effeminate. Now you not only long for those curves and soft feel of plastic but also that large protruding nipple of the camera lens on the S IV. One might think you've actually stopped being sexist but I think you've just tailored your argument to hate on Apple regardless of what they do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hfts
Well caught, let him try and slither out of this.
One may use the nipple to suckle on perhaps, and added bonus in owning this plastic fantastic.
Notice how DaHarder did not mention the recyclable aspect of the 10s of millions of the "more superior" Samsung polycarbonate (plastic) devices. When a company sells a respectable amount of devices, the recyclability should be a major consideration of the overall design process.
Also notice that DaHarder's MO as of late seems to be "drive by" comments. One and done.
Comments
Plus there are trolls on that site just begging to be insulted. I've been reported and suspended a few times in my 8 years commenting there. Each time the a-hole had it coming.
So aluminum isn't bendable?
It is extremely unlikely that you're going to accidentally apply enough force to bend an iPhone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pendergast
Yep, that seems to be their agenda.
Will this matter to Google that much? The majority of Google's mobile revenues come from iOS, no?
It's very clear that Android isn't important to Google in the long run. Larry Page himself said that he's "not sure" that Android is very important to Google:
http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/04/18/larry.page.sees.android.as.vehicle.for.ads/
Yes, Google makes more money from iOS (from ad revenue) than from all of Android. In fact, Google only generates $1.70 of revenue per Android device per year.
Peanuts.
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/04/02/asymco-google-makes-only-1-70-a-year-per-android-device/
And it's rapidly changing for the worse. Siri just shows you what it thinks is the right answer, without Google search's pay-for-placement spammy ads on a browser page, and in many cases totally without using Google search at all. The Wolfram Alpha and Yelp services are just the start.
So no, losing even more Android revenue as Samsung cuts its heart out (the "profit layer") then possibly replaces Android completely with Tizen, may not hurt Google much in the long run. Certainly not as much as dumping $12.5 billion on Motorola solely for thousands of useless patents.
No, Google will do what Microsoft did. Microsoft made a half-hearted attempt at success in the post-PC era, then fell back on their core competencies: legacy Windows + Office + Enterprise. Google is making a half-hearted attempt at a mobile OS, but soon they will be forced to fall back on AdSense advertisements on web pages. They've already removed ad blocker apps from Google Play. Never forget: 96% of Google's revenue comes from ads. Google will certainly never forget that.
The rampant fragmentation and forking of Android will lead to one or more of the forks being more popular than Google's generic baseline releases. The Samsung fork, if and when it happens, would instantly become the de facto standard. And it won't have the Google Profit Layer (tm) any more. Replaced by Samsung's "Sam Hub," and other proprietary stores and services.
This is why ChromeOS is so important to Google. Because it's designed to handle AdSense ads.
Says the guy who's phone has a Sony camera.
I wonder if that's based on activations. If so, that would mean proper smartphones running Android, not just a feature phone with Android for the OS, are having to pick up a lot of slack as many of those feature phones simply aren't being used as smartphone users would naturally expect.
I agree that's it's highly unlikely but it's not impossible. Apple used plastic in the 3G/3GS and I don't recall anyone criticizing them for it especially since it was a step backward from the original iPhone. Was there a problem with the 3G/S bending and breaking? No so why should it all of a sudden be a concern?
What?! They were criticized constantly for exactly what you said "a step backwards." Then you have people like DaHarder claiming it wasn't masculine enough when they made the change. Apple wins in the sales and profits but when it comes to the anti-Apple rhetoric they are drowning in it. I suppose that's the price of having an excessive amount of mindshare.
Ahh gotcha, I was still stuck in feature phone hell in 2008.
The problem was when Apple refreshed so many devices in one shot leaving sites like AI a huge void to fill in the following months. Normally the new iPad would've been on the forefront of discussions here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by robogobo
Plus there are trolls on that site just begging to be insulted. I've been reported and suspended a few times in my 8 years commenting there. Each time the a-hole had it coming.
I was put in time out there for suggesting when the S4 comes out everyone who has an S3 will upgrade and won't complain about repairability and upgradeability like they do with Apple products. Just pointing out the hypocrisy of people who rag on Apple every time they get a low score from iFixit, yet are the first ones to buy an new android phone or complain that Apple isn't updating their product lines quick enough to keep up with Android OEM's. obviously someone must have reported me for it. How ridiculous.
Originally Posted by carlemil
I count 6 different typefaces on the Samsung poster. What a disgrace from a designers point of view.
Well, at least it wasn't a combination of the worst.
You probably won't be able to see at least one of those…
Samsungs polycarbonate(plastic to us) gets good reception from its main users who do not realy want to be on a very short standby.
They have a different market so to mess with it is peril.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatorguy
It's not at all impossible to moderate a forum with strong fan-bases from two competing platforms. It's also possible to be fair as moderators. I've done it for several years as have other fellow moderators I work with. We don't all think alike nor support the same platforms, but we respect each other and encourage each moderator to communicate with the others regularly to make sure we play fair to both sides of the aisle. While an individual mod is sure to have his own personal preferences and bias, by working as a team we each keep the others in check. No moderator gets away with insulting, belittling or disrespecting another forum member without being called on the carpet for it by one of the others, and we're expected to do so by the site administration. It's not that hard to do if there's a commitment to it.
You also make fair rules that encourage every member to get involved without fear of ridicule and strictly enforce those without resorting to the same tactics you're trying to stop. Neither AI nor most of the other sites mentioned will do so regularly and that's at the root of it.
A good first step should be zero tolerance for egregious trolling no matter your OS, product or feature allegiance. If someone's primary contribution is as a serial abuser of other members why should forum leaders care if they continue to have posting privileges? A "fan" from any camp can be just as much a troll as anyone else and should not be allowed to act as one for the health and sanity of the forum.
Second, moderators should help move the conversations back on track when they stray, directing posters to the proper thread for their comments if necessary. If required for clarity move posts into a new or existing thread (with a proper redirect noted) if they've seriously distracted from the topic at hand.
Third, moderators should immediately step in at the first sign of personal attacks, false accusations or improper language. None of those activities benefit a forum in any way and cannot be allowed. Don't wait until 10 more posters have jumped in to do the same before trying wrest back control. By then it's too late and much of the damage done. As moderators we've turned many offensive new members into at least tolerable if not downright courteous contributors by simply advising them of the rules as needed and then seeing they were enforced fairly. The few that couldn't adapt moved on the other sites to infect them instead. Outside of spammers we've rarely had to resort to banning, and it's been as a last resort. Encouragement and direction from the mods is usually enough to sway members into at least respecting each other even if they may vehemently disagree.
Finally the site administrators should support their moderators efforts 100%, giving them the tools needed to efficiently police the forum with minimal demands on their time.
That's just a few suggestions. It's not impossible to maintain a forum where intelligent and courteous discourse is the rule. For various reasons too few tech-related sites choose to make the effort.
Just my 2 cents
What waffle.
ypu who gave insulted me and now complaining about others.
**** off
Quote:
Originally Posted by dasanman69
The problem was when Apple refreshed so many devices in one shot leaving sites like AI a huge void to fill in the following months. Normally the new iPad would've been on the forefront of discussions here.
Much as I generally dislike your posts, I have to cede a point here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
It's funny, when the iPhone 4 was just rumoured in the leaks from Gizmodo you were misogynistically wanting that design to be real as you pejoratively claimed that their beveled, polycarbonate iPhone 3G/3Gs designs were too effeminate. Now you not only long for those curves and soft feel of plastic but also that large protruding nipple of the camera lens on the S IV. One might think you've actually stopped being sexist but I think you've just tailored your argument to hate on Apple regardless of what they do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hfts
Well caught, let him try and slither out of this.
One may use the nipple to suckle on perhaps, and added bonus in owning this plastic fantastic.
Notice how DaHarder did not mention the recyclable aspect of the 10s of millions of the "more superior" Samsung polycarbonate (plastic) devices. When a company sells a respectable amount of devices, the recyclability should be a major consideration of the overall design process.
Also notice that DaHarder's MO as of late seems to be "drive by" comments. One and done.