How do we fix AO?

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  • Miscue
    Super Moderator

    • Oct 2000
    • 7105

    #1

    How do we fix AO?

    I've been on here a long time - and I think AO was one of the best forums out there. I can't put my finger on it, but it does not feel the same. It doesn't feel like a community as much any more, and I don't really know why. I'd like for AO to continue to be something special on the Internet.

    There's been a lot of complaining, with little constructiveness.
    Rule for this thread: Be constructive. No complaining without proposed solutions.

    I'm going to go out on a limb here... but stupidity = ban of undisclosed amount of time in this thread. And... pruning will be very liberal.

    Is it really broken, or just a matter of things changing over time?

    What made AO good?

    What still makes it good?

    What has changed?

    How do we improve it?
  • BD_Paintball
    UW-Whitewater Paintball
    • May 2003
    • 2268

    #2
    Originally posted by OysterBoy
    *Pruned* -Miscue

    but then no one would be here. i think it should be less strict. i am always watching what i post and make sure i dont make anyone mad b/c maybe ill get temp banned for flaming or something. i like PBN's small talk b/c they really dont care what you post as long as it is not p0rn(hope i can say that). and like mango said you know somthing is not right when all the members that have been here for a long time are leaving.

    when i first joined i think it was alot less strict and more ppl came here. now i find myself going to pbn for things when befor i came here. i domt know what it is but i think being less strict will help

    edit to miscue below me: i think what the mods thing is annoying is different then what most the members think is. i like when mango whould post random smilies but i know you didnt like it b/c there was no reason. i like all the different faces that i have never seen befor and most things he posted i thought was funny. i would say to be less strict in friendly but keep the other parts as it . most ppl have a problem in friendly and not other parts of the forum
    Last edited by Miscue; 01-21-2005, 07:37 PM.
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    • Miscue
      Super Moderator

      • Oct 2000
      • 7105

      #3
      What about "annoying" or "rude" members. There isn't really a rule against that. Should there be?

      Comment

      • OysterBoy
        Fatty McChubbercookie
        • Feb 2004
        • 1409

        #4
        God, I hope not; otherwise I would be SO banned.


        I just think that the people who actually apreciated what AO is for will stay, NOT flame / break the rules, or atleast wait it out somewhere (passively; not flaming as they leave) until the tension dies down.

        Unicorns are people too ...
        Old Narhwals are people too ...
        Grizzly Bears are people too ...
        Caterpillars are people too ...
        Baby Peacocks are people too ...
        lew "My hand was a little shaky and I released too soon."

        Comment

        • fire1811
          Firefighter
          • Nov 2002
          • 4930

          #5
          IMO I think the majority of memebers were more mature in the past. Younger crowd seems to be the majority now and they need a little more guidance.
          "The Few Who Do Are The Envy Of The Many Who Only Stand And Watch"

          Alway Remember *343*

          Si vis pacem, para bellum

          Comment

          • Miscue
            Super Moderator

            • Oct 2000
            • 7105

            #6
            Originally posted by fire1811
            IMO I think the majority of memebers were more mature in the past. Younger crowd seems to be the majority now and they need a little more guidance.
            Ah... how? I believe this too.

            Comment

            • thecavemankevin
              the living un-banned
              • Feb 2001
              • 4346

              #7
              this quote from mango in another similar thread seemed to about sum it all up for me.

              Originally posted by Mango
              A few of the mods on here need to leave AO for good.

              You would think that they would reflect upon themselves and thier own actions. Ask themselves "Why are so many of AO's older members leaving?" Those like myself who have been here for 3+ years.

              AO needs fewer mods who try to change AO to be what THEY want it to be. It's plain and simple that they are going to be AO's undoing.

              Too many captains for this boat.

              but to add to it how about people just lighten up? furthermore, when it is a simple mistake like the link thordic had, why wasn't he warned instead of just having it deleted, same with my old sig. The rules are actually not rules, they say "guidelines" not rules/laws. if there is a blatent violation then fine, but if it is minor, especially with upstanding members, why not show a little respect to said user and let them know it needs to be changed rather than going on a power trip.

              It seems to me that the mods (miscue your not included in this part) in general are going on a power trip and handing out bans left and right...and to the general publice there is little need or explination for it. Thus leading to hurt feelings and people up and leaving.

              Can AO be fixed? not likely....unfortunatly

              i have a feeling AO has been at its platuea for a while now....and now there is only one way for it to go


              Quote: MarkM
              "virus attacks have been dealt with, same with back door nasties. ."

              My feed back

              Comment

              • cphilip
                Former Moderator

                • Jun 2026
                • 16216

                #8
                I think a few of the older members have acted less mature and are hiding behind the fact that they are old members... as if it entitles them to something.

                The rules and thier enforcement are the same as always. Just lately... more people are trying to challenge them. And endlessly argue as to why they should be allowed to. In fact old AO had the same rules as new AO.... only thing that has changed is the attitude of the members... both new and old in some cases...


                AGD, where we are so good we can do it with only ONE tube!

                cphilip.com

                Comment

                • teufelhunden
                  Registered Bamf
                  • Jul 2003
                  • 2691

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Miscue
                  What about "annoying" or "rude" members. There isn't really a rule against that. Should there be?

                  Yes.
                  SwallowBleach: It's good for you.

                  www.seckspb.com: for all your third party needs


                  Where have all the scooters gone? -BobTheCow

                  Comment

                  • Lohman446
                    Useful posts: 7
                    • Jun 2003
                    • 9315

                    #10
                    I make it a point to not try to annoy the moderators.. I don't want there job, I don't envy the decisions they have to make, and as such I really beleive that I should, most of the time, not open my mouth.

                    In my opinion, the mods have been lenient. We have had a series of people try to do nothing but score e-cool points in there clique, and when a moderator took action against that clique we let them abuse the moderators in the sigs, and in general just all the time. We have taken a group that questioned the power of their group, and handed more over. I stated elsewhere, and I will restate it - I think public complaining about moderator actions (such as a ban, sig. editing, etc) should be grounds for a ban. There are PMs and e-mail for this type of thing, noone else needs to see the whining. Disagree with a moderator, fine, state that disagreement to them, perhaps to several moderators, but remember they, not you, not your precious clique, hold the power. In the end, chances are you were wrong. Apologize, get over it, and move on. If this sounds to hard... grow up. The moderators try... publically whining about them is an annoyance to most of us. The moderators are not out to get you, I'm certain they have better things to do. Broke a rule, was it a mistake, apologize, learn, and be better in the future.
                    "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. Its not" - Dr Suess

                    Comment

                    • NITH
                      Listen to Sublime
                      • Aug 2004
                      • 29

                      #11
                      I'm theorizing here, so just go with it.

                      The popularity of paintball has grown huge (duh). But of course it is a luxury to play paintball. And since it is a luxury younger people have more time than common adults to dwell on the sport. Sure us old people can afford cooler stuff (not in my instance) even though a "kid" may save all summer and buy a Emag with plenty of upgrades. But what I am trying to say is "kids" have the time to sit on the forum all day. I work and go to school and get to check this thing once a month if I am lucky.

                      Take the above with a grain of salt.

                      -Jon
                      Oklahoma Automag Society:
                      http://members.cox.net/o-a-s/

                      Comment

                      • OysterBoy
                        Fatty McChubbercookie
                        • Feb 2004
                        • 1409

                        #12
                        Natural response would be to enforce the rules more so; but that didn't seem to help. I've seen SOME forums have a feature where, before actually posting, you see a selection of text summarizing the rules in point form, as well as a search key highlighted. This screen dissapears after a certain amount of time; it could help with younger / immature members not knowing the rules, but it would get rather annoying. On the flip side, it could be based on 'experience'; if you've been registered for longer then XX amount of time, the screen doesnt appear.. this is all just random thinking, most of which would require more coding / scripting then I would ever want to see.

                        Unicorns are people too ...
                        Old Narhwals are people too ...
                        Grizzly Bears are people too ...
                        Caterpillars are people too ...
                        Baby Peacocks are people too ...
                        lew "My hand was a little shaky and I released too soon."

                        Comment

                        • SAW
                          It's a trap!
                          • Nov 2004
                          • 846

                          #13
                          I sense a hint of elitism from some of the longer-standing members. Personally, I find this to be rude and quite childish.
                          I was never around to witness the "Good Old Days", so I'll leave the other suggestions to those that were!
                          Back at this...

                          Comment

                          • TheDuelist
                            Office use only.
                            • Oct 2002
                            • 671

                            #14
                            Everything changes over time. One day you wake up and realize your not 18 anymore. If your looking to capture what AO used to have I think you have to be a motivating factor for the change. Remind people what the old days were like. Warn the bad posters about certain behavior, etc. I don't believe you'll ever get that same feeling agin but it could come close. Compare it to a new care. Once the "new car smelll" is gone all you can do is go buy a can of the fake scent from the store and reminisce.

                            Comment

                            • cphilip
                              Former Moderator

                              • Jun 2026
                              • 16216

                              #15
                              Originally posted by thecavemankevin
                              this quote from mango in another similar thread seemed to about sum it all up for me.




                              but to add to it how about people just lighten up? furthermore, when it is a simple mistake like the link thordic had, why wasn't he warned instead of just having it deleted, same with my old sig. The rules are actually not rules, they say "guidelines" not rules/laws. if there is a blatent violation then fine, but if it is minor, especially with upstanding members, why not show a little respect to said user and let them know it needs to be changed rather than going on a power trip.

                              It seems to me that the mods (miscue your not included in this part) in general are going on a power trip and handing out bans left and right...and to the general publice there is little need or explination for it. Thus leading to hurt feelings and people up and leaving.

                              Can AO be fixed? not likely....unfortunatly

                              i have a feeling AO has been at its platuea for a while now....and now there is only one way for it to go
                              Again, and your pretty famous for this, you assume everything played out in public. When in fact things happened off AO and you would be suprised how nasty they were. But I cannot talk about it. But again.... I caution you.. to not assume you have seen it all or know it all from what you see in posts here on AO. You would be mistaken.


                              AGD, where we are so good we can do it with only ONE tube!

                              cphilip.com

                              Comment

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