I suspect it matter of being very old software for message boards. The prevention of flaming threads staying on top is an unintended benefit.
I suspect the ability to use alias is a recent marketing tool employed by TER. Several years ago VIP and NON VIP members could use alias. If I am correct, now only VIP are allowed to use aliases. My preference would be to eliminate the ability to post under aliases since I think it is abused much more than it is properly employed. The use of aliases may also harm someone who innocents and is not author of post because someone suspects it's them
Most other forms I view operate in a different way. When a thread receives a post it goes to the top. Some of the best discussions appear to be lost as they begin rapidly falling off after a day or 2.
Also, there is no directory of posts. I understand you may perform searches but the problem is you would have to know what you were looking for as opposed to just viewing (through a directory) the most interesting topics.
One last question, has any thought been given to creating a TER handle reputation (or some other status representation). I believe this would limit alias posts or certainly have them looked upon with much greater skepticism than today.
New posts always go to the top. You can always search by topic rather than reviewer. If you want to know about BBBJ, just search. See how many results pop up in even 30 days.
Your first question was explained once, a flaming trainwreck of a thread could stay on top indefinitely as long as people kept up the flames. That is why it doesn't stay on top.
Second question, with the search you get to decide what topic you want to see (most interesting) not someone elses view of what is interesting.
How would you implement a "handle reputation"? Having people vote on each and every post they read to see of they think the handle is good/bad? I can see one big problem with that, people just voting a certain way to get someone to look good/bad.
Trust me, with enough posts the true core of a person will come out and people are smart enough to make up their own minds about if someone is good/bad.
As for aliases, if they were made up just to enrage or flame someone, I totally disregard whatever was said. If one makes an alias to ask a legit question or to bring some humor then I will give that post more consideration.
b-
"Your first question was explained once, a flaming trainwreck of a thread could stay on top indefinitely as long as people kept up the flames. That is why it doesn't stay on top."
I believe that the TER moderators could easily manage this process by closing any thread that is flame driven.
"How would you implement a "handle reputation"? Having people vote on each and every post they read to see of they think the handle is good/bad? I can see one big problem with that, people just voting a certain way to get someone to look good/bad."
Other forms have dealt with this. I believe a combination of time registered along with overall number of posts would be a simple place to start (both would impact alias credibility).
"I believe that the TER moderators could easily manage this process by closing any thread that is flame driven."
This would mean I would have to depend on another person's perspective to determine if something I post is a flame or not, which I don't. So letting the moderators take down a thread after it has started is IMO wrong.
"I believe a combination of time registered along with overall number of posts would be a simple place to start"
Which means that just because somebody has been here longer and posted more has more credibility than someone who hasn't? Besides credibility and reputation are all relative. Someone may like one person's posts and ideas while other may not.
This isn't a popularity contest, it is open discussion. People will like some people and not like others no matter what their "reputation rating" would be.
b-
-- Modified on 1/21/2008 4:03:59 PM
I suspect it matter of being very old software for message boards. The prevention of flaming threads staying on top is an unintended benefit.
I suspect the ability to use alias is a recent marketing tool employed by TER. Several years ago VIP and NON VIP members could use alias. If I am correct, now only VIP are allowed to use aliases. My preference would be to eliminate the ability to post under aliases since I think it is abused much more than it is properly employed. The use of aliases may also harm someone who innocents and is not author of post because someone suspects it's them
Each board moderator knows who is posting behind the alias. For instance, on the Chicago Board, if someone posts something unkind, the moderator will simply change the post to reveal the "culprits" true handle. You'd be surprised how well that works.
whereby each provider is allowed one ad per week. Some providers get past this already by posting "non-ad" topics with site links still embedded, but most follow the rule. Now, if an "active" thread popped to the top every time a response is posted, two things could happen: The providers' ads would quickly, and unfairly, get pushed to the next page because of very long, "active" threads; and, conversely, providers could circumvent the rule by consistently posting responses to their ads and popping them up front. Now this may not be a problem on the General Discussion Board, but it would be on the regional ones.
Also, the Mods are, I believe, non-paid volunteers who have real lives and cannot devote the time the level of monitoring you are suggesting would entail.
INHO, Alias' are a necessary evil as the site has a strong business / client component that could be seriously hampered by the kind of frank discussion these boards have.
If I recall correctly on a previous discussion of this matter, at least on the regional boards, it is intended to keep posts such as the weekly ads from the ladies on "equal footing" time-sensitivity wise with the other posts on the board.
Frankly, I prefer it this way. If the topic was that popular to you you'll know where to find it. Otherwise the topic becomes a board hog.
Speaking only for myself, and as a moderator, I like that TER has chosen to organize the boards chronologically by topic creation, instead of most resent reply. You wouldn't believe how often a long forgotten topic gets a reply. I don't think that is adds anything to the board when someone replies to a 6 month old introduction message.
Also remember that it is through the boards that gals advertise on TER. They can post one ad every 7 days. This would be impossible to manage if the topics weren't listed chronologically!!!
Thanks Jazz and everyone for responding. I understand why they are stationary.
Jazz, what do you think about creating a reputation or ranking system? Especially for VIP's (or any paid members) that would not extend to any alias's? An alias could still be used but there status would be less and would be less credible.
By their very nature. I don't need a ranking system or reputation system to tell me that, or to tell me which poster I should trust or not.
Often alias, are just anonymous cowards!