<strong>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.
1. There is not need to add content as the content is in the "other" duplicate thread. Why expend the energy.
2. This in no way "ursurps" authority from the Moderators. There mere "assumption" that some make that a thread is "likely" to locked is not "usurping" anything. Now had they said "Lock this thread now!" then I would agree.
3. Typically the thread already exists or is already in default of the posting guidelines so locking is the appropriate thing.
Like all fads it will pass. There will always be differing views on what exactly is Off/On Topic. That's why we come to these boards. Not to think and respond monolithically but to hear different views and opinions.
As will any Guidelines the Posting Guidelines have enough language in them currently that making any necessary amendments is really not needed.
Jon, I was about to suggest messing with the censor to take out IBL nonsense but decided to read the entire thread anyway.
I don't like it either, but I have to admit to doing it once in a really retarded thread that I don't remember at all. Probably one of kittylitterdesign's rants.
Overall I think it's kind of silly, but for those of us that aren't mods reading posts 12 hours a day, and whom have some semblance of a life outside of AI, it isn't that common. It's just a little bit of fun, and it doesn't "usurp" or "undermine" anything; that has to be the silliest thing I've heard today.
But oh well. Mods, censor away, if it makes you feel powerful. I think if we have to resort to nitpicking like this, we've got too many mods hanging around...
<img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> What a pathetic web site. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
<img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" /> "IBL" is some big "problem" to be "solved" <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
No, "pathetic" is dragging up dead topics and slamming them. Can't be that much of a big deal to anyone if they haven't contributed to the thread in a month.
<strong>No, "pathetic" is dragging up dead topics and slamming them. Can't be that much of a big deal to anyone if they haven't contributed to the thread in a month.</strong><hr></blockquote>
God? WTF do you care? Someone posts a reply. I ad my opinion. So what? Man! The moderators here ...... uh.
It is absolutely shocking that bradbower would drag this month-old topic up to gripe about it. And even more shocking that Scott would add his wonderful 2 cents.
How unbelievable. Like the Washington Generals actually LOSING to the Harlem Globetrotters. Wow, some things really are one in a million! :eek:
The "in before lock" posts tend to keep a topic from falling off the front page the way it should when it's dead or duplicated. I would rather not have to explicitly lock every thread that doesn't go anywhere.
This isn't anywhere near serious enough to justify action in my opinion, but if you feel the urge to post a wry comment in a thread you think should die, remember that doing so will keep it alive and up at the top. We can clean up after you, but the forums are still littered until we get around to it; it's easier for everyone, and better for the forums, if threads that don't go anywhere fall off the front page as quickly as possible instead of competing with the active discussions.
<strong>No, "pathetic" is dragging up dead topics and slamming them. Can't be that much of a big deal to anyone if they haven't contributed to the thread in a month.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Feel I gotta speak up on bradbowers behalf. See, I spent 9 years of my childhood in Omahaha, and outside of drinking and smoking 'ditch weed' there ain't a whole lot to do. 'Cept may tip over sleeping cows (yes, it can be done...)
Comments
- T. I.
Well, somebody had to do the obvious.
It might as well be me. <img src="graemlins/embarrassed.gif" border="0" alt="[Embarrassed]" />
<strong>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 ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yawn this is a total nonissue.
1. There is not need to add content as the content is in the "other" duplicate thread. Why expend the energy.
2. This in no way "ursurps" authority from the Moderators. There mere "assumption" that some make that a thread is "likely" to locked is not "usurping" anything. Now had they said "Lock this thread now!" then I would agree.
3. Typically the thread already exists or is already in default of the posting guidelines so locking is the appropriate thing.
Like all fads it will pass. There will always be differing views on what exactly is Off/On Topic. That's why we come to these boards. Not to think and respond monolithically but to hear different views and opinions.
As will any Guidelines the Posting Guidelines have enough language in them currently that making any necessary amendments is really not needed.
I don't like it either, but I have to admit to doing it once in a really retarded thread that I don't remember at all. Probably one of kittylitterdesign's rants.
Overall I think it's kind of silly, but for those of us that aren't mods reading posts 12 hours a day, and whom have some semblance of a life outside of AI, it isn't that common. It's just a little bit of fun, and it doesn't "usurp" or "undermine" anything; that has to be the silliest thing I've heard today.
But oh well. Mods, censor away, if it makes you feel powerful.
<img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" /> "IBL" is some big "problem" to be "solved" <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
[ 10-20-2002: Message edited by: Scott ]</p>
<strong>No, "pathetic" is dragging up dead topics and slamming them. Can't be that much of a big deal to anyone if they haven't contributed to the thread in a month.</strong><hr></blockquote>
God? WTF do you care? Someone posts a reply. I ad my opinion. So what? Man! The moderators here ...... uh.
Seeing as how most of the posts in this thread are light-hearted, I'd say this is basically a non-issue.
[ 10-20-2002: Message edited by: murbot ]</p>
How unbelievable. Like the Washington Generals actually LOSING to the Harlem Globetrotters. Wow, some things really are one in a million! :eek:
<strong>Quit trying to get attention Scott.
Seeing as how most of the posts in this thread are light-hearted, I'd say this is basically a non-issue.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
go to hell
<strong>
go to hell</strong><hr></blockquote>
Does New Jersey count?
This isn't anywhere near serious enough to justify action in my opinion, but if you feel the urge to post a wry comment in a thread you think should die, remember that doing so will keep it alive and up at the top. We can clean up after you, but the forums are still littered until we get around to it; it's easier for everyone, and better for the forums, if threads that don't go anywhere fall off the front page as quickly as possible instead of competing with the active discussions.
Thanks.
<strong>No, "pathetic" is dragging up dead topics and slamming them. Can't be that much of a big deal to anyone if they haven't contributed to the thread in a month.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Feel I gotta speak up on bradbowers behalf. See, I spent 9 years of my childhood in Omahaha, and outside of drinking and smoking 'ditch weed' there ain't a whole lot to do. 'Cept may tip over sleeping cows (yes, it can be done...)
(tig)