To be honest at the moment, this board seems less and less about football and more about a few people. I don't know what to suggest to make a difference but I do know the people are here for a football forum will drift away. Shame because there are some people here with some really good opinions that see things differently from the way I do.
My opinion, for what it's worth would be a Football forum and two sub forums. One would be OT stuff and the second would be the zoo. The moment an OT thread looks like being derailed, a warning. The moment it continues, it gets shunted to the zoo. People can do their own version of threads in the no holds barred section but have to abide by the rules in the football and civilised chat forums (ie not hijacking threads on a whim). I have very little interest in playing in the naughty boys sand pit (with all the cat poo) but feel that losing the conversational aspect of OT threads would anaesthatise the board too much. I'd want the civil chat because I love the science, politics, music, film and general stuff and humour that pervades so many posts but entertains me and my fellow not606ers. Two of these would need modding and one not. Not sure of the implications on Brix and Nuts with it though. It might be more work or it might be easier (with less discernment needed before shunting the good-threads-turned-bad into the abyss). I wouldn't have thought, from a programming perspective, it would take too much for the supermods to do and it would see us right for a long time. It may also reduce their unnecessary involvement in some of our busy but humble board's character management. Obviously, I'll go with the consensus.
We havent had a match for a couple of weeks so it will get like that, plus the fact that we have to talk about relegation if we talk about football. A lot of people would rather escape from that. Its depressive enough watching games, most of us dont want to relive that for weeks after. This board is active enough for a football and OT section if we can get it.
Vale: Points noted and appreciated. Cheers. Matt: Your thinking is exactly the same as mine at this stage of developments. However, not sure from recent interactions with management that a second chamber would be a goer. Nothing set in stone yet though. Flyer: Good useful points made. Ta.
Personally I don't see the need for a sub-forum, we'll just end up spreading ourselves too thinly The general issue as I understand it is that too many threads get derailed, normally by the same people. Reign them in or close the threads should be enough.
we need four different sections one for football one for non football one for squabbles one for me and Northy maybe a fifth for yappy
I would have thought that 2 sections would be sufficient. One for football and congenial off topic threads, the second for the less savoury ones. I don’t see any point or value in separating off the off topic threads as I think that we all enjoy them. Maybe having the second area could mean that slightly less leeway should be allowed from the agreed guidelines in the main forum. We would still be left with the problem of defining trolling and hijacking. One man’s joke is another man’s wind up. Self moderation really is the only answer.
Wow chaps main section and "off topic" would be more than enough What we don't want is one off topic thread that will inevitably get lost in translation
I'm not sure you've read what I posted properly. I said slight less leeway in the main forum, there would obviously be more leeway in the trolling wonderland.
I think there would be room for the three I suggested. It has been said that QPR fans might be reluctant to post due to a proliferation of OT threads. Similarly, a lot of people avoid OT threads because they degenerate. Also, the more outspoken probably feel like they're on egg shells most of the time. A two forum format would be workable but in essence has the same issues just transferred - eg a thread about health on a completely "open" forum is a disaster waiting to happen. It still needs the rules or deprives someone of something. It may need redressing or expanding in time. A three forum format would be everything we'd need for the foreseeable future and each one can flourish in its own right, thus enhancing the whole QPR board as something vibrant and rich.
Thanks guys. NOW the thinking we're after is starting to flow in earnest. All points are being noted.
Im watching and reading all comments with interest but will stay out of this one as I'm clearly on a different wavelength.
Kind of see where your coming from mate, but my thinking is if we get one section as an off topic we will be quite lucky knowing mick, and he's in difference to all things including mods taking liberties on GC That said I'm sure the off topic will police itself (albeit I'm still here brix !! Lol ) Big difference between the lads on here and those boys on GC ie we know where to draw a line Grove ranger and trypsin are regulars over there it would be good to hear their thoughts as well,,,,,
Sorry Roller, my mistake. I get the impression that you're firmly in the "stick to the football" camp. I'm on the other side as it were but I don't think it would be wise to start labelling a potential off-topic section as a "trolling wonderland". That's not what I want and I doubt its what anyone wants. Just an open area for free discussion. Matt sums up the two distinct groups succinctly: There's no reason why we can't come up with a formula that would please parties in both these categories and everyone in between.
Another option would be more controls like the swear filter. Types are visible according to taste. Normal, OT and GC (with the last two being in the title/subject). Buttons could then allow opting in of either the last two (with mods amending titles to suit and a responsibility on the OP to categorise appropriately). Opt out and then either of the other types of thread are invisible in their entirety (with GC being invisible to non members). That would be more difficult to program though.
