I especially like Raymond's first two suggestions:

1. Creation of a Beginner Topic area.

This creates a specific place for “newbies” to ask On-Topic questions. By collecting them in their own area, they provide an increased comfort level and a friendly atmosphere.

2. Removal of “Likes” capability in Off-Topic threads.

1. What sort of things might be done structurally or administratively make the first suggestion work?

2. It seems that the capability to apply "Likes, es"provided an incentive for some members to perform by way of rude behavior. This effect seems more pronounced in Off Topic, perhaps because of the nature of moderation there, isn't the feedback provided by "Likes" also important social feedback that can help members get closer to each other? (That could be good or bad.)

 

2. It seems that the capability to apply "Likes, es"provided an incentive for some members to perform by way of rude behavior. This effect seems more pronounced in Off Topic, perhaps because of the nature of moderation there, isn't the feedback provided by "Likes" also important social feedback that can help members get closer to each other? (That could be good or bad.)

Dick Cappels FWIW I agree with HP that Pros totally outweigh Cons even in off topic

Re: The 'like' feature (as available in off-topic fora and elsewhere): I feel that any 'negatives' (e.g. facilitation of 'mobbing behaviour', etc...) are much more than over-equaled by the 'positives' (i.e. incentivisation of helpfulness/patience/civility, reduction of clutter, enhanced clarity of consensus, etc...)

Only problem I see is counting likes on uncounted posts can give weird post/like ratio (like mine) but I say that's minor problem not worth worrying abt!

 

Hola Raymond,

Regarding the novice ghetto, I believe it serves to no real purpose. Asking a question is always asking a question that hopefully would be answered by the same qualified contributors that always do.

Regarding moderators, I can just commend the time they dedicate and the patience they bring to their activity. Something I would not do. Posting as members, why not? They all started like that. And still are.

Regarding the idea of posting instead of just clicking "like", be aware that there are forums where you are explicitly requested to avoid the "me too", "thanks", "I agree" and other type of posts, conveying no additional contribution to the topic in the OP. AFAIK, it is to avoid those posters (members) striving to increase their post count. I've seen that precisely, in several forums dedicated to programming where the prevailing nationality belongs to a place somewhere in Asia.

In the Microchip forum, there is someone who besides being a knowledgeable member uses that strategy that brought him to become one of the top posters if not the No 1 in few years. Childish but real.

I would prefer to have the system in ETO, where you click one of many options other than the sole, ubiquitous, multipurpose "like".

 

I especially like Raymond's first two suggestions:


2. It seems that the capability to apply "Likes, es"provided an incentive for some members to perform by way of rude behavior. This effect seems more pronounced in Off Topic, perhaps because of the nature of moderation there, isn't the feedback provided by "Likes" also important social feedback that can help members get closer to each other? (That could be good or bad.)

IMHO, it is thinking like this is that has cost AAC so many long term members. Maybe what we should do is to have moderators approve each and every post before it can appear on AAC?

So just keep it up and you will have a very civil forum where no one posts.

 

You didn't really read my whole post, did you? Otherwise you would have addressed the content of the post rather than using it as a vehicle to post your opinion on a barely related (if related at all) subject.

 

You didn't really read my whole post, did you? Otherwise you would have addressed the content of the post rather than using it as a vehicle to post your opinion on a barely related (if related at all) subject.

The whole notion that likes are are an incentive for rude behavior in off topic is ridiculous. That is the type of thinking I was addressing.

 

So we need three buttons?

Like
Agree
Thanks

 

There should be a Thanks button. Or better a resolved button. In fact I would like to see a resolved button with option to lock that can only be done by a mod or the TS. So many times people post to an old thread because it is loosely related to heir issue. This of course is know as hijacking and the mods split it off and make a new thread. But they should not have to.

A search option to search for resolved threads would be an added bonus. Most times I get my answer when searching. But it would sure be nice to filter out unresolved threads.

 

So we need three buttons?

Like
Agree
Thanks

I would suggest:
Like
Dislike
Agree
Disagree
Thanks
Informative
and maybe, Solved (should trigger maybe the equivalent at the thread's title). Probably allowed just for the OP.

 

In fact I would like to see a resolved button with option to lock

Spinniker the only problem I have with that is that questions and issues in on-topic posts can have broader value to other/future readers only if subject is fully explored! So way too often TS decides something is _solved_ cuz he/she loses interest or finds his/her specific problem which leaves vry frustrating _dead end_ for future viewers of thread!

So I understand conflict caused by policy of TS _ownership_ of thread vs AAC's mission as archival site. But since a proper archive needs to be useful to future readers, I say allowing discussion to continue after TS satisfaction is sometimes totally necessary!

So anyhow I don't see discourtesy to TS keeping thread going past his/her withdrawal since alerts are optional

 

Regarding the novice ghetto, I believe it serves to no real purpose. Asking a question is always asking a question that hopefully would be answered by the same qualified contributors that always do.

Atferrari I say _novice forum_ has a lot of merit for reasons given by @Raymond Genovese! But I also share concerns of you and @Hypatia's Protege that there need to be strict unambiguous rules to prevent like segregation of newbies! So I say it should basically be _Newbie Lounge_ with no chance of evolving into _Newbie Stockade_!

 

Hello,

One of the problems can be that a newby will not admit that he is a newby and wants to work on projects way over his head.

Bertus

 

Hello,

One of the problems can be that a newby will not admit that he is a newby and wants to work on projects way over his head.

Bertus

Bertus I totally agree with that but IMO as long as there is no safety issue _sink or swim_ (in whatever _depth_ they choose) is best way to aquatint them with their skill level! Cuz I say self discovery is sole of education and, really, personal development in general!

 

Hello,

Just read my signature about asking questions.

Bertus

 

You don't have to know everything, if you know where to find it.
When you do ask questions, you may look stupid.
When you do NOT ask questions, you will STAY stupid.

Exactly!

 

There should be a Thanks button. Or better a resolved button. In fact I would like to see a resolved button with option to lock that can only be done by a mod or the TS. So many times people post to an old thread because it is loosely related to heir issue. This of course is know as hijacking and the mods split it off and make a new thread. But they should not have to.

A search option to search for resolved threads would be an added bonus. Most times I get my answer when searching. But it would sure be nice to filter out unresolved threads.

A "resolved" button that acts like you suggest would be nice in theory, but in practice would have little impact since it requires a proactive action on the TS's part to use and most people won't use it -- if their question is answered they move on. A TS can always request that their thread be locked and the mod staff will almost always honor such a request (I can't think of a single instance when we didn't).

Which is not to say that I would necessarily object to giving the TS of a thread some additional tools to manage that thread, with the ability to close it being one option. It may or may not get used by many threads, but the ones that it does get used on at least cuts down the problem.

But, having said that, many problems that are posted take on a broader life than just a question that is of relevance to a the specific member that started the thread. This is particularly true in Homework Help, but is also the case in the other forums since many problems do come up time and time again.

 

But, having said that, many problems that are posted take on a broader life than just a question that is of relevance to a the specific member that started the thread. This is particularly true in Homework Help, but is also the case in the other forums since many problems do come up time and time again.

Wbahn I totally agree! I say since AAC is archival site we should be keeping _granularity_ to minimum for posterity, balanced, o/c, against maintenance of friendly environment for posters!

 

Being serious, all of your posts (that I have read) offend me - and, remember, you asked. I don't know you from Eve, but what I see is a young person, who works as a Gov. Contractor (from one of your posts). I have been the COR for a number contractors.

When I read your posts, the language appears to be so childish, and so lazy, I can't even take it seriously. The irony is that you would choose the word "daft". You may, in fact, be extremely bright and have a stellar future, but if you could only express yourself as you have shown me here, I would have a difficult time doing anything but wishing you good luck in another laboratory.

That is me being serious.

Jeeeze @Aleph(0)! How I envy your 'knack' for winning friends and influencing people!

 

I would prefer to have the system in ETO, where you click one of many options other than the sole, ubiquitous, multipurpose "like".

I tend to agree but with the 'amendment' that the 'down vote' option serves no constructive purpose whatever! Whereas agreement often requires no explanation -- courtesy and obviation of ambiguity demand elaboration upon negative feedback...

Best regards
HP

 

I tend to agree but with the 'amendment' that the 'down vote' option serves no constructive purpose whatever! Whereas agreement often requires no explanation -- courtesy and obviation of ambiguity demand elaboration upon negative feedback...

Best regards
HP

Yes, I agree. It deserves being explicit.