As many of you know, we were going to try a few new things out on a couple of discussion boards. We were then going to discuss these changes and decide how we could best move forward. This was clearly a mistake and will only keep the discussion area in a heightened state of turmoil. It has been pointed out by many users that if we think that changes are needed, it would be better to do what we think is best Further, we should make any changes quickly. So that is what we are doing today. This post discusses all of the changes that we will be making. A few of the added features will take a week to activate.
The reason for the changes is that the discussion area needs to be more user friendly and welcoming to all users. The boards currently seem unfriendly to newbies, as-well-as to those who express a view other than the most popular. There are simply a lot of very interesting voices that are simply not given a chance to be heard. We are now changing the way that we approach discussion to fix these problems.
We will now cover the changes that are taking place.
1.TER will internally moderate all boards.
The volunteer moderators have worked really hard, but we need to move forward. Customer Support will now handle the moderation function. We are by no means driving any one off the boards. We truly hope that the volunteers remain huge contributors in daily discussions on the boards.
2. We will add board Hosts and/or Hostesses in the boards where it makes sense to do so.
We are the first to admit that we are not experts in every city. In order to address this point, we are asking for people to help us out by being a Host or Hostess on boards where it is needed. We will rotate the hosts and hostesses on a preset schedule in order to give all users who want to help us in a positive way a chance to do so. The hosts and hostesses will help welcome newbies, keep the discussion interesting, and keep a watch for any unneeded drama. We also believe that this will help the boards take on a much more positive feel.
3. We will discontinue the ‘Discussion Board Alias’ feature.
When we added the Alias feature, it was a fun way to express each user’s individuality. It is currently just as often used to post mean spirited comments. Each user’s one review alias will still be able to be used in the discussion area. So we are going from an unlimited number of aliases to one alias that is unchangeable.
4. We will add a ‘Like/Dislike’ feature to board posts.
This is a feature that has been asked for for a while. Hopefully it will help everyone find the most interesting topics while not needing to dig through the ones that are boring.
5. We will extend the ‘Block This User’ feature into the discussion boards.
Just like in the real world, some people simply do not get along. We have a ‘Block This User’ feature in private messaging. We will bring it into the discussion area. Since it is new, we will release a first version and then modify it a couple of times so that it achieves the desired affect, which is that people that both you don’t any more.
6. We have added a ‘Report This Post’ feature to each post.
We have added this feature several days ago. This is not a way to have any post that you do not agree with pulled from a board. We want more points of view, not fewer. ‘Report This Post’ is a tool that users can uses to report posts that are created in order to be mean for meanness sake, or to start trouble.
In summary, we are making these changes to improve the site, to create boards that are not mean, boards that are welcoming to all and boards that have a much lighter, happier feel.
Like in any community, there is simply no way to make every single person happy every single time. We do hope that you hang around and continue being important members of TER.
I think #3 should be very interesting to see what happens. I for one would agree to that change. As far as the others, it shall be a wait and see for me. I do hope that the flow of discussions become ecouraging and engaging in the future.
What about not screening everyone's post before hand? This one of the only forums I've ever seen that doesn't allow users to post freely without having to moderate each and every post. It's makes the discussion flow really delayed and ineffective when you post something and person can't even respond for hours-days later.
Isn't it just easier and more sensical to moderate a post where needed after it's been posted?
Most people who are very active are not moderated. My post are in real time. I soon as I click "post" there on the board. You just have to show that your a positive poster over time.
Most people who are very active are not moderated. My post are in real time. I soon as I click "post" there on the board. You just have to show that your a positive poster over time.
I'm in Love with number 3!
Also, 4 & 5 seem to be kind of cool too.
Oh... well aint that a kick in the nuts. All this time, I've been moderated and some users are getting special privileges to just post realtime. I've been a paid member for quite a while and a moderator has to review every post I ever made. When I post a message, the screen says "This post should be approved shortly" and it won't show up until a mod approves it. That's really crappy and it makes me pissed!
Posted By: PCell1337Oh... well aint that a kick in the nuts. All this time, I've been moderated and some users are getting special privileges to just post realtime. I've been a paid member for quite a while and a moderator has to review every post I ever made. When I post a message, the screen says "This post should be approved shortly" and it won't show up until a mod approves it. That's really crappy and it makes me pissed!
All you had to do was ask the LA moderator that you requesting to be unmoderated. Additionally, there are posts put out informing people that are moderated that if you wanted to be un-moderated, all u had to do was ask.
What bond said. And Beat also put it out there a couple of times back for those requesting to be unmoderated...I guess you missed the boat on that one.....
Beemer
Posted By: PCell1337
Posted By: sensualnatalie
Most people who are very active are not moderated. My post are in real time. I soon as I click "post" there on the board. You just have to show that your a positive poster over time.
I'm in Love with number 3!
Also, 4 & 5 seem to be kind of cool too.
Oh... well aint that a kick in the nuts. All this time, I've been moderated and some users are getting special privileges to just post realtime. I've been a paid member for quite a while and a moderator has to review every post I ever made. When I post a message, the screen says "This post should be approved shortly" and it won't show up until a mod approves it. That's really crappy and it makes me pissed!
...to be mean, that post can be deleted and the poster moderated - thirty days for the first offense, up to "life" for repeated offenses. A dog learns not to shit on the carpet if you put his nose in it.
Many of us use aliases as punchlines to our posts. Losing that will make the board far less entertaining. It will become boring and clinical.
Some mods were afraid of impinging on free speech so they let their boards become the Wild West. There is a way of reining in assholes (including me at times) without losing the freedom of alias posting.
I think it's sort of pointless to allow the use of aliases though. It's basically just confusing since you aren't sure who your talking to. That's just how I see it though.
Beatpoet was a fabulous mod and an amazing person. I'm still very pleased that the discussion boards are going to be a more provider friendly place with these policies being implemented. I feel safer and I feel better knowing that TER doesn't support negativity, mean comments, trolls and A**holes. TER listened to us, especially the providers and I think TER will be a better place to be.
Beatpoet was a fabulous mod and an amazing person. I'm still very pleased that the discussion boards are going to be a more provider friendly place with these policies being implemented. I feel safer and I feel better knowing that TER doesn't support negativity, mean comments, trolls and A**holes. TER listened to us, especially the providers and I think TER will be a better place to be.
...The poster is using an alias but actually intends people to know his real handle. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence can figure out who it is. If you can't, you're one of those in favor of eliminating aliases.
using an alias i don't have to worry about someone like bookers or my provider girlfriend at the time from figuring me out. the providers and agencies all monitor TER whether they be reviews or posts so i don't want any headache later. especially if im dating a provider.
yes some guys will put up some BS etc...but so what you don't have to respond to it. eventually the post will just die out. i think the BS posts are actually entertaining.
so TER gods if your reading this please don't implement #3. Use and number of alias should be unlimited!
Clearly there are a number of people who have taken to abusing the PRIVILEGE of posting under alias, and my suggestion would be that TER (or moderators if they ever return) should have the ability to suspend an individual's right to post under alias, just as they have the ability to un-moderate a user.
Without alias, I will post a lot less, that's for sure, and I'm 99% certain that BP and others who can see underneath the aliases I use, will agree my posts add a little flavour, and a lot of humour to the boards.
Anyway, my thanks go out to BP for the endless hours of time he contributed to this and other boards. Kudo my Brother!!!
While the goal of a more welcoming board is to be applauded, you run the risk of self-censorship, resulting in a calmer board, perhaps, but a less informative one. I suggest a regional NO HOLDS BARRED board where the more aggressive among us can feel free to vent to their hearts content. Nobody has to go there, but if they want discussion without the nagging sensation that mom or dad is listening in, the NHB BOARD would be available. RT
and I think I'm not the only one. I appreciate the more positive direction the board will take once people realize that they can post their opinions without being attacked by the spiteful alias commenters.
Some ladies have already sort of "pledged" on the PO board that they will participate more once the changes take place and I'm adding my name to that list. I'm looking forward to communicating with those of you who enjoy a fun, interesting and civilized discussion.
Not so much on this board, but on others, there are those who relish acting like, being seen as, and called assholes. Now, such behavior is par for the course in a men's locker room, but if one wishes to host parties, but keeps inviting those who are viewed by a majority of others as being assholes, that person will not be hosting all that many parties, for long. The cyber roller derby, or WWIII Smackdown atmosphere is seen, by many, as entertaining, however, there are many more venues of entertainment available, whereas very few for gather information and developing camaraderie between those of us who can not speak of our hobby, to family or friends.
Thanks for the brave new direction you are taking!
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