snowblizz:
As for staying on topic. No forum ever has been able to completely control that. Thread drift and random odd thread shifts happen. If it gets too bad, just admin/mod it, split the thread and keep the topic on topic and the non-topic stuff in a newly defined thread. add a link to the non-topic stuff and say, 'keep on topic you monkeys..'
two_heads_talking
This however I can admit being guilty of. I can only blame my awesome brain that multi tasks so many interesting ideas at one time.
The problem is I can't fork a thread (or can I?) and it usually wouldnt' be worth it anyway. I've tried this on e-mail lists and it never EVER works. The discussions just continues in the same topic despite my attempt to make a new thread out of it. So I no longer even try.
And for the record I don't think I've sidetracked any thread that didn't deserve it from the start. There's just so many posts you can read about variant constituents of "Chaos Dwarf Beer" before interest vanes and when someone brings up an interesting point vis a vis accidental discoveries I can't resist responding.
I humbly submit that of the threads that have off topic talk 80% could just be locked after the first 5 posts as any pertinent information has already been brought up. And that's just those that shouldn't be deleted outright.
Like this thread. Can I start yanking this off topic now? I'll have to work a bit to find something tangential but I'm sure I'll find something.
Oh, yes:
Am I aware that people are going to call me a dictator and throw around terms like �?oPolice State�?�, �?oStalinism�?� etc... sure. If that is what you want to see.
Willmark
I would say you are more of a Leninism with a touch of Maoism. Perhaps a touch of syndicalism on the side.
Xander:
I dunno. I think kera brings up a very solid and valid point. If the only time we see staff post up is when the hammer gets dropped, then, whenever we see them post, we get the 'doomed' feeling.
two_heads_talking
I am confused by this sentiment, I must admit. It takes a
single galnce at statistics to show that this is not the case.
You seem to be talking more about a hypothetical rather than an actual case.
two_heads_talking:
I dunno. I think kera brings up a very solid and valid point. If the only time we see staff post up is when the hammer gets dropped, then, whenever we see them post, we get the 'doomed' feeling.
two_heads_talking
I am confused by this sentiment, I must admit. It takes a single galnce at statistics to show that this is not the case.
You seem to be talking more about a hypothetical rather than an actual case.
Xander
That is exactly what I am doing, otherwise I would have posted up the actual case. You need not be confused, as it's more a matter of perception, rather than actual case by case...
cornixt:
Everytime the staff have posted forum rules that don’t really have any effect on 99% of members, it seems to go the same way.
“It’s no big deal but…” insert them acting like it is a big deal, “I don’t know why the staff are making a big deal out of this minor issue” insert several more posts by the same person acting like it is a big deal, accusations of censorship and heavy handedness. Eventually, it dies down, the rules are implemented and doesn’t really have any effect on 99%.
Maybe the language used could have been toned down a bit, but the only people who should be worried are those who have been breaking the rule in the past. This rule is so that we don’t have to implement the annoying minimum post length that other forums have, so that you CAN continue to post one-liners but not have to wade through thousands of pointless ones sent by one or two people. I’m not a member of any forum where the members even get to discuss forum rule changes publically, but maybe we should be that way too since these threads seems to generate absurdities and ill-feeling for no reason.
wallacer:
If the only time we see staff post up is when the hammer gets dropped, then, whenever we see them post, we get the 'doomed' feeling.
two_heads_talking
I guess I can't speak for all the staff, but I always try to post outside the staff section as much as time permits. I notice other staff doing this as well. Hopefully people don't start getting beads of sweat on their forehead when they see us viewing a forum ;)
I don't mind rules changes, but I didn't realize this was an issue, as it doesn't seem like anyone brought it up.
two_heads_talking
This is partly because we encourage members to contact staff directly over any issues they might have rather than starting threads about it.
I suspect a lot of people didn't realise it was an issue, but it has been raised with us by some members. Since the site just seems to keep getting bigger we thought it best to act now.
In effect, we're doing a bit of future-proofing to make sure the issues raised with us by some members gets nipped in the bud.
I understand that some people see this as overreaction, but we're just trying to address concerns that have been raised with us by members. I can say quite sincerely that we discussed this at considerable length in the staff section and none of us want to be seen as dictating to the members. It's just an issue raised with us that we needed to address. I hope you guys don't read anything more into it than that, because there honestly is nothing more to it than that.
two_heads_talking:
If the only time we see staff post up is when the hammer gets dropped, then, whenever we see them post, we get the 'doomed' feeling.
two_heads_talking
I guess I can't speak for all the staff, but I always try to post outside the staff section as much as time permits. I notice other staff doing this as well. Hopefully people don't start getting beads of sweat on their forehead when they see us viewing a forum ;)feeling.
wallacer
I'd think the more involved in threads they become, the less likely the feeling of doom will abound. What I'm saying is probably what happens anyways.
I don't mind rules changes, but I didn't realize this was an issue, as it doesn't seem like anyone brought it up.
two_heads_talking
This is partly because we encourage members to contact staff directly over any issues they might have rather than starting threads about it.
I suspect a lot of people didn't realise it was an issue, but it has been raised with us by some members. Since the site just seems to keep getting bigger we thought it best to act now.
In effect, we're doing a bit of future-proofing to make sure the issues raised with us by some members gets nipped in the bud.
I understand that some people see this as overreaction, but we're just trying to address concerns that have been raised with us by members. I can say quite sincerely that we discussed this at considerable length in the staff section and none of us want to be seen as dictating to the members. It's just an issue raised with us that we needed to address. I hope you guys don't read anything more into it than that, because there honestly is nothing more to it than that.
wallacer
Well, that little bit of information would have been a nice addition to the original post. Something like, it's come to our attention (*read: many members have messaged us about......) and in response to this, we are going to be .........
By doing so, you give the staff a bit of transparency, let the public know of the issue at hand and then tell them how you wish to deal with said issue. Etc. I might not be the most 'reserved' poster (as I am quite blunt when it comes to my thoughts)
Anyways, I'm just tossing ideas off the ceiling now.. Of course, what I might find a good way to do something, someone might find offensive, so I truely see and empathize with the staff in that someone might get bent out of shape while someone else might be elated in the way you shared this.
wallacer:
Well, that little bit of information would have been a nice addition to the original post. Something like, it's come to our attention (*read: many members have messaged us about......) and in response to this, we are going to be .........
By doing so, you give the staff a bit of transparency, let the public know of the issue at hand and then tell them how you wish to deal with said issue. Etc. I might not be the most 'reserved' poster (as I am quite blunt when it comes to my thoughts)
two_heads_talking
You make a fair point (and as for the bluntness, don't worry - i'm fairly thick skinned ;) )
I've asked in the past for people to contact staff directly (and from what I can gather from the other staff many members do) although you may be correct when you imply that this could be emphasised more. Perhaps the openess of staff to forum suggestions or raising of concerns is not sufficiently common knowledge. I'll give that some thought.
Most of the issues we discuss in the staff forum are in response to concerns raised by members, either via PM or in threads. As I mentioned before we're just trying to address an issue that has been raised (spam).
Grimstonefire:
I did also create the How to report thread function thread, to try and remind people that if you want to raise something as an issue there are alternatives to posting everything publicly.
If people want the staff to listen directly they should contact them directly imo. It gets your point straight from A-B, without the distraction of C. 
Thommy H:
First, an explanation: I was already having a pretty bad day when I logged on to read this thread. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I was in the mood to start a fight. It wasn’t fair for me to channel my frustrations here, and no one I spoke harshly to deserved to bear the brunt of the problems I was having outside of this community. So I apologise for that. I’ve taken a few days off to gain a fresh perspective and not allow myself to be caught up in an argument about what is, essentially, a very minor issue.
But… I still stand by my earlier sentiments. This is not an issue with the rule, but with its implementation and the heavy-handedness of the initial post. I don’t appreciate being made to feel like my posting here is a problem for people. Now, I know I can be abrasive (I like to think it’s part of my charm, but your mileage may vary) and if there’s anyone in this community you could point to as a cause of problems, it’d probably be me. However, I think most people enjoy my contributions and, from what I’ve read in this thread and at least one PM I’ve received, wouldn’t want me to leave.
Now, I’ve been assured that the warning about spam doesn’t apply to me - which is fine, and I appreciate the staff taking the time to address my concerns personally - but why, then, was this warning delivered indiscriminately to everyone in the manner that it was? There are a couple of other people in this thread (like Taraak) who also thought they might be the ones being warned. That should probably tell you that this warning was a little…scattergun. I get that this is a policy change that needs to be mentioned, and I get that it will have a beneficial effect long term (i.e. prevention rather than cure), but if a number of high-profile members are feeling alienated by this, then that indicates there’s a problem.
Now, I’ve kicked up a fuss about things before, and we all know I can be…uh…scathing at times, so you probably wouldn’t be expected to read too much into me arguing here, but when guys like Taraak are raising concerns, there has to be the acceptance of a little wrongdoing on the part of the staff.
Sorry, guys, but I (and others, by the sounds of things) would have preferred you to be a bit nicer about things. This is a close-knit community - not a place like Warsser - and I consider most people here a friend by default. When a friend comes to me and says he’s watching me and I might possibly get banned if I keep doing what I’ve been doing to make those friends, it makes me get a little peeved. Isn’t the whole reason you don’t want spam to encourage the community to thrive? If so, then it’s counter-productive to try to prevent it by bring the hammer of modship down on said community in such a way.
We’re friends - you want it to stay that way, I believe, so let’s act like it.
Tarrakk Blackhand:
Since this post, I’ve been watching what I’ve been saying. I don’t want to get booted off, but I’m still upset with the whole process of it all. If enough people want me to leave because of my “Spam Posts”, then I will, just to please the community. (read as an appology)
In the meantime, I’ll just post on a few threads that move me the most.
Thommy H - Glad you consider me a friend. You’re a Firecracker, but I like you! 
Willmark:
Tarakk et al,
No one should take this personally, perhaps I wasn’t in the right frame of mind either… I have been working behind the scenes on various issues for the sites for various members for almost a solid month straight, perhaps a bit to much pent up angst.
Speaking for the Staff and especially myself: none of the Staff bears ANYONE any Ill-will.
So get posting lets move on a c keep the community great and fun, just a bit of restrain on everyone’s’ part: the place is infectious now doubt, that’s what makes it cool.
So lets channel that to the right places, fair enough everyone?
Tarrakk - when you are ready to place and order for shirts let me know and we will get it done
For the greater glory of Hashut, and to the service of Chaos Dwarfs Online, forever your servant, :cheers
Willmark
Now hopefully its back to Word of Hashut #4!
… ‘keep on topic you monkeys…’
two_heads_talking
I think this is my new official statement for getting it back threads back OT! Thanks THT, have some slaves.
Tarrakk Blackhand:
Sound’s good Willmark.
Maybe we were all just “rageing” and not thinking about what was being said or how to say it.
As for myself, the store’s doing horribly with the recession, my bills are piling up, taxes are due in April, i work a second job that sometimes has me working until midnight, the baby might be teething, and we also had a 1 week visit with the in-laws. All this and then the thread set me off somewhat.
Sorry again!
cornixt:
I’ve been through similar, so I understand that if all of that isn’t enough to set you off then you’d be saint!
Kera foehunter:
At least everyone talking now so this is good!!
