My view...

Yes I accept that zero-tolerance is unlikely to be feasible, or even desirable, and I'm willing to compromise; I think those holding opposing views must accept some compromise too.

I think the proposal of an off-topic sub-forum is a good one, if it is allowed to happen, and an officially sanctioned off-topic thread as proposed by the mods is better than nothing.

 

I don't get how the Newcastle lot get a sub-forum, yet we had our request for one initially turned down. Never quite made sense of that.

 

It is better than nothing but their proposal was a bit overly contrived. It'd probably be simpler to just have one big thread without fannying about with merging and a 10% rule etc. Either way, something needs to be done because yesterday and today it's been ridiculous here, and I'm certainly not pretending to be blameless!

 

Yeah I didn't get this either. That, and the GC one, shows it's possible.

 

It's because the super-mods are all from up there

 

Agree with me. I dare you.

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In fairness I agree it's contrived but the merging thing was a concession to those who want the attention to a topic that a dedicated thread affords. Once it has got going, then it can be assimilated into the one true off-topic thread. At least that's how I understand it.

 

Well, we'll see what happens. Still, it all appears to have calmed down which is good... wonder what will set it off next, one of the "troublemakers" or one of the group complaining about the troublemakers

 

Who knows. I lose track of who is in which group.

May I say that you're an impressive character for someone so young. I'd have said you were no younger than 14.

 

Hahaha I just noticed that. How long has Dan been 12?

 

Not for much longer, his birthday's coming up soon. He'll be 12.

 

I haven't been this excited since I turned 12.

 

Thumbs up all round for that humorous exchange.

 

Mr. Nice I didn't put you on the ignore list because I don't like swearing. I put you there because you seem(ed) intent on stirring trouble an were involved in any argument on the site. Whether it was tongue in cheek or meant maybe I missed but you seem to have calmed down so you're off the list

Joe Steinberg will remain there because any argument on here he uses to have a go at people. I left last year because of something he got involved in and then I come back and within a few weeks he's at it again. He knows he does it and chooses to take the chance to attack and provoke which for me is a problem because I bite very easily. So he will remain on the list.

As for the people ganging up bit. I think the problem with many people these days is that they assume they are the only one making a compromise. I would bet loads of those who got fired up tonight have bitten their tongues madly for a long time through compromising, understanding that they have to accept the middle ground rather than insisting that their demands must be met. Then when others (not noticing or realising that many are already compromising) insisit that everyone is ganging up on them and not budging. We already budged. We put up with lots we would rather not be happening. We just don't moan about it. You accept that and then meet us in the middle ground that we are already in.

Joe - FYI when I was talking about chavs and immature people you hadn't sprung to my mind on this occasion yet you decided that you fit that descripition and started to argue with me about it. You must have paranoia about something there. Need to sort out that paranoia or you'll be starting to think everybody is talking about you if they describe anything.

Next - when we sign up to this forum we accept the t&C's and the rules of the forum. If it says no off topic that's what you sign so shouldn't really be at this stage should we?? If anything maybe the MODs should have stayed strictly to this through the close season. So far from being 'too stric' they have perhaps been to relaxed with the rules. If the T&Cs say that the Mod's are in charge then guess what?? You agreed to it.

Onto the subject. If possible a sub-forum within the Saints board would be the best way rather than off topic threads being within the Saints board. If it is within the Saints board then the MODs will be tasked with keeping the % in check and then they will get the same 'dictators' argument. Even then someone will say why has mine been deleted and not his etc when the tally is reached.

Other than that someone can create an off topic free forum and then post a sticky on this forum that leads people to it. Maybe this option suits others better.

On the banning thing the MODs have already explained that they can't ban anyone. They can ask for someone to be banned but the superMODs have to then se evidence. Therefore if it were simply a disagreement then it is actually the Super MOD at fault. Maybe not reading the evidence??? I doubt that however I'll leave that one there.

Now believe it or not I am Mod on a very busy (5000 active posters) worldwide forum. I have banning powers however I have only ever banned 3 people. 2 for spam and one for causing arguments over and over again. Take ito account that is a worldwide forum with many people using google translate etc to put it into English and also return other posts into their own language and it can often get a little tetchy. There are circa 50-100 reported posts a day for us Mods to weadle through often having to liaise betwen the poster and the reporter trying to find out what the former meant to say and the latter understood it to say.

Needless to say many are simple misunderstandings in the translation as many have seen on the translated messages in the Ramirez thread. There are only 5 of us doing this however we get it sorted and there aren't many rifts on there. People follow the rules that they signed up to.

So what about setting up a free forum, becoming the MODs on it and on here the admin letting you sticky the link so all can choose to go into the Saints off topic 'Lounge'.

Oh and yes I have signatures off too. Save's my scrolling wheel no end of mileage.

 

I can't be arsed replying to the whole message, Imps, but I'll just draw a couple of things -

It's true the mods *technically* can't ban anybody, but only in that they don't have a button. If they tell the supermods to ban somebody, they will - my ban reason on the banned page was "per request from the Saints mods". Doesn't have to be on the judgement of a supermod

And as for setting up a new forum, it's far too much hassle for everybody involved. A sub-forum on here is far more all-inclusive and would allow everybody in. There'd be no massive disagreement over moderation because it'd be pretty much black and white - no porn or **** like that. Far easier than a whole new forum, and allows everybody access. Many won't want access which is fine, they don't need it. Some will want to pop in every now and again which would be much harder on an entirely different website. We'd have a core of 10-15 members on a new forum and no visitors, whereas a sub-forum on here would include potentially all members from here... if that makes sense?

 

Can we call the sub-forum Guly's Night Out?

 

I agree but it has to be a sub-forum within this Saints forum if you don't want to use GC.

No point having a go at our Mods for that. It is the 'Super Mods' that would make that decision so far from it being our Mods at fault you should direct your request to those who run the forum.

I can't see any way of having off topic threads allowed mixed in with the others as that will drive away all those who are here solely for Football. There would be no way that the Saints Mods would want to have to impose a 10% of front page rule because how can that be enforced? Pages would bump up the front page and one day maybe take over with people not interested in Saints commenting on threads they found on google searches taking over our small community here.

 

Pretty much everyone wants the sub-forum to be on the Saints forum. If you look at the Newcastle forum - http://www.not606.com/forumdisplay.php/119-Newcastle-United - we want something like their "sexy poll" sub-forum, or the GC Uncut one on GC.

And that's very extreme. Off-topic threads have never ever been remotely near being that big a problem and I doubt it'd ever get to that stage, but I still see your point.

 

I've already sent you a PM about this, because I'm not going to discuss it further on here. This paranoia crap isn't helping your case.

 

I hope the latter part of that sentence was not a reference to me because if it was you have never been so wrong.