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.

- The Erotic Review

If for no other reason, it could have a chilling effect on the kind of posts where their use is legitimate - for example where anonymity is needed to protect an innocent victim, or simply someone asking a potentially embarrassing question.

They also can add humor and further a point being made, on the occasion when there actually is a point - which does happen sometimes.

I do think that blatantly abusive posts should be deleted, even entire threads, if need be.

For me, the jury is still out as to how these changes will ultimately affect the board, but in all honesty, I predict tumbleweeds.

Hosting? In which case that one aliass will no longer be annonymous because we all can assume that with rotating hosts, if this is the case, it's only a matter of time before the aliases get out. I just think this should be made clear to board members. I could be wrong and confused about the way it will work and if I am please post about it. Thanks!

The changes are good and should move in a positive direction. I do want to thank though BeatPoet and Apollo as they have been very helpful and have been nothing short of invaluable!

Important Member,
Octavia

The abuse of aliases really killed this board.  

Between their elimination and the ability to block other people, this site just got 1000 times better.

Thank you.

I can't say that your ONE AND ONLY ALIAS will be safe from a flip with the site's new rules.  Something to consider when you start posting with the sense of security and anonymity...

What a concept! They should try it in Washington! BP, thanks for all your hard work. Happy golfing!

are the people whom the new rules are trying to eliminate.

I think the flipping idea should be retained. Less work for the moderators and when the community can see who is the jackass, the problem might take care of itself.

These boards used to be much more useful to me.  I enjoyed them and participated a great deal more.

Lately, they have gone to shit, and I believe the abuse of aliases is why.

Since it's already in a state that I hate, there is no place to go but up.

1) Replacing the moderators.  Good, but maybe not so. Apollo-X was a respected member of this community that many of us know personally, and he knew the pulse.  On the other hand, I have to say the mods here were too lenient for too long, especially with the alias attacks on other members.  2) The host/hostess option needs to be more clearly defined, and should be assigned to members who know their way around in the hobby and community.  Please don't call them cruise directors...this isn't a G-rated TV show from the late '70's.  3) The overuse of alias', and abuse in attacking other members, was the biggest problem this and other boards had.  IMO, alias' were appropriate in posting in discussions that were controversial, and where the member wanted to remain anonymous.  With effective moderation, we wouldn't be facing these problems.  4)  I don't need anyone else to think for me.  This feature will not be used, by me anyway.  5) Disagree to a point.  This is a discussion board...blocking PM's is one thing...blocking responses to posts is another.  I would agree, however, that blocking known alias attackers is a good thing. 6) Report this post.  Gosh, are you setting yourself up for alot of work, and tons of drama.  

One last point...since when have the discussion boards become the main focus of TER?  I always thought that this first and foremost a review site, with the discussion boards being a side issue.