EB Forum Reforms [Archive]

Mediolanicus

01-08-2009, 13:41

Totally agreed. It just can't be that 7 threads on the first page of this forum are locked (and somehow I feel that because of some people this will end up being number 8). And that high number has nothing to do with the severity of the EB moderators because they allow much.

On a side note, shouldn't the FAQ be stickied again, because we're getting a lot of threads with questions that can be easily solved by reading the FAQ. I know we have the important informations thread, but I doubt many of those people that post such threads are inclined to look at it, while a frequently asked questions thread may just catch their attention.

Ca Putt

01-08-2009, 14:09

i agree,
many threads devolve into a unbarable state and often without any real reason(there was no aids in EB time so no need to talk about aids here...) but to be honest I don't know what kind of reform would change that.

On a side note, shouldn't the FAQ be stickied again, because we're getting a lot of threads with questions that can be easily solved by reading the FAQ. I know we have the important informations thread, but I doubt many of those people that post such threads are inclined to look at it, while a frequently asked questions thread may just catch their attention. one of the FAQs even is "where's the FAQ?" ^^ and i had a hard time finding them myself. :rolleyes3:

Lysimachos

01-08-2009, 14:58

Mediolanicus

01-08-2009, 15:55

Including the term FAQ in the title ("Important Information ... and FAQ") should be sufficient.
Without any offense meant, I still don't get what is so hard about understanding that a thread called "Important Information For Forum Users" contains important information...

Well.. just look at the recent threads.
There are a lot more "what are the reform", "help my I can build barracks in Taras", etc... threads.

I don't know why those posters think the important information is unimportant to them, but it seems they do... :inquisitive:

A Terribly Harmful Name

01-08-2009, 18:46

Rule number 1 of the internetz:

Nobody ever cares about stickied threads. I didn't.

Publio Cornelio Escipión Africano Mayor

01-08-2009, 19:22

MarcusAureliusAntoninus

01-08-2009, 19:32

LS threads are locked because of two reasons. 1- They turn into arguments that just repeat themselves for days without adding new information or give by either side, and 2- people just start spamming stupid things like pictures, smilies, and random, "LORICA SEGMENTATA!!!" yellings. Also, they don't matter. No matter how much people talk about LS, it will never be in EB. So the threads are a waste of everyone's time.

Moros

01-08-2009, 19:36

I'm sorry about this but I have to complain. I know threads some times have nothing to do with technical stuff or directly related to the game mechanics or history but you should relax about the rest.
I don't understand why talking about lorica segmentata is a reason to lock a thread. In that case talking about epic movies, Ben Hur type, should be locked too. You can´t be more papist than the Pope.
We are here, at least in my case, to learn about what the rest have to say about ancient history, even if they are just dreams, ideas or a comment of a novel they read. I strongly belive we can not only to recreate history, but to have fun.
Games are basic models of reality, you can't expect a bunch of geeks - gamers - historians - engineers - simple mortals - etc not to have fun with a game, because EB is just a game, not a scientific recreation.
We should let everyone say what ever they have to say.

If a thread is improper.... that is a different story.

(Please define IMPROPER for the forum beacuse I can't)
Making a joke, or the occasional off-topic thread is no problem. Posting meaningless random stuff is, post that don't add to a conversation, flames, in before the lock posts, political debates, inproper language,.... We all know what is acceptable and what isn't. And if you don't you must know that each forum has it's rules. If you don't know the rules, it's not a bad idea to read them.

A link to the general .Org FAQ: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=45416
Of course every subforum has it's own topics, and should be discussed at the right place. Religious or poltical debate is for the backroom. A entirely offtopic thread should go to the Frontroom. Threads discussing other mods should be in the mod discussion forum,...

Edit: Marcus posted while I was typing. Gah!

Hax

01-08-2009, 19:48

Indeed.

Also, I think that the EB forums are too isolated from the main .org forums. It is important to note that the EB forum is not independent from the .org, as the moderators of this forum (Teleklos, Foot, Krusader etc) also have to abide to the rules that also count for the rest of the .org.

As I said, the most forum-users here only visit the EB forums, and as such, they are more inclined to create off-topic posts and threads here, though those should belong in the Frontroom (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=48) and Backroom [I won't give the link here, because it is off-limits to some members]. If the EB forums moderators allow off-topic posts and threads to continue [as in the past] they might also get in trouble with the .org administrators [TosaInu, SirClergane, etc]. The EB forums are meant solely to discuss the EB modification, not for off-topic posts and threads.

It is a poor way to say 'thank you' to the makers of a mod to flood their forums with off-topic threads, which might get them in trouble later.

oudysseos

01-08-2009, 23:35

Just out of curiosity, what exactly is the 'backroom'? Sounds ominous.

johnhughthom

01-08-2009, 23:37

I have often heard of this mysterious place that only a priviliged few are allowed access to. What exactly goes on there and what does it take to gain entry?

antisocialmunky

01-08-2009, 23:57

Politics and Religion. Pretty much anything that could get you shot outside of the West or inside of Texas.

Also Teleklos makes us Tacos if we're especially good.

||Lz3||

01-09-2009, 00:02

You need to send a request to one of the backroom moderators, (I think there's a special solicitude, but I don't remember where to find it).

Basically, it's a private place to discuss more... sensitive subjects... like politics, religion, etc.

Since it's a sensitive place, they can't allow anyone since they would risk the chance of the always present troll, that's why there's a selection process.

(PS: I'm not in the backroom, I... haven't applied hehe)

antisocialmunky

01-09-2009, 00:10

Eh... we are talking about the Tavern's backroom right? Why can I get in? I never applied and I don't think defusing certain things in the frontroom twice counts.

Honestly, I think that if you're the type to actively expend a ton of effort to get into it, it might very well disappoint you.

Watchman

01-09-2009, 00:32

Beefy187

01-09-2009, 00:41

iirc if you go into your User CP and check the backroom thingo, you get the permission to get in. But only enter if you know that you can be responsible of your word.

Philippus Flavius Homovallumus

01-09-2009, 02:45

I don't remember how I got in, I think I got access when I became a full member. Things may have changed since then, Org traffic has picked up a lot.

a completely inoffensive name

01-09-2009, 04:00

How much money will the MIC for these new reforms cost?:clown:

please don't kill me....

gamegeek2

01-09-2009, 04:10

Finally someone gets the reference...

Olaf Blackeyes

01-09-2009, 05:26

How much money will the MIC for these new reforms cost?:clown:

please don't kill me....

EPIC LOLZ!!!!!!!!:laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4:

But seriously if you guys think that THIS is bad.....
:laugh4::laugh4::laugh4:
Ive been on forums where Trolling like this is an art form and where there are HUNDREDS of locked threads on utterly useless topics, (most of them failed trolls). This is actually one of the calmest forums ive ever been in.

Ludens

01-09-2009, 14:26

IIRC I was just one day told I was considered worthy of the admission. Basically, if the mods and whoever think you're a sensible and well-behaved enough fellow they'll eventually let you in, or something like that.

That's how it used to be: the Backroom and several other forums became accessible once people gained full membership. Not it's a bit different.

iirc if you go into your User CP and check the backroom thingo, you get the permission to get in. But only enter if you know that you can be responsible of your word.

Correct. The backroom moderators have to approve your request, but unless had a previous run-in with the forum staff it's just a formality. Do keep in mind that debates can get heated, but we still expect people to abide by the forum rules.

Fixiwee

01-09-2009, 14:48

But isn't that the problem? I mean a normal user has no possible ways and means to talk about curious stuff that happend during his current day. So in the long run a thread is bound to derail and get hijacked. We can't talk about how effective e.g. roman infantry is all times long.

antisocialmunky

01-09-2009, 15:58

FrontRoom.

Shadowwalker

01-09-2009, 17:24

@Fixiwee:

I have heard of a weird new invention: real life contacts.
As I understand it it's something like living Nicknames.
There are even rumors of a fully animated body and an intelligent AI!

Sorry, no offense meant (really. ~:)) but I wasn't able to withstand... :laugh4:

To get serious:
I don't see the problem. In this forum you discuss the matters it was opened for (like in any other forum). If you don't want to speak about ancient warfare and/or EB you are free to switch to another place. I'm sure every member here does it that way.
We are only here to discuss the fantastic mod and it's background. For all other subjects we have to find another place.

Just my 2 cents. And once again: No offence meant. ~:)

Fixiwee

01-09-2009, 18:14

Yeah the so called "real-life" card always makes me fold.

Subotan

01-09-2009, 23:55

Correct. The backroom moderators have to approve your request, but unless had a previous run-in with the forum staff it's just a formality. Do keep in mind that debates can get heated, but we still expect people to abide by the forum rules.

Is that the Tavern, or is it in some other place than social groups?

Ludens

01-10-2009, 01:09

It's a bit confusing since there is both a forum and a social group called the Tavern. The Backroom a sub-forum is in this forum (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=12): a link to it will appear in the Tavern as soon as the Backroom staff have granted your request for access (the request can be made via User CP => Group memberships). For the record, membership of the Backroom comes with no obligations, apart from obeying the forum rules obviously, and can be stopped at any time you like.

Subotan

01-10-2009, 01:17

Do I apply to join the Backroom or EB?

HayGuy

01-10-2009, 01:41

i agree,
many threads devolve into a unbarable state and often without any real reason(there was no aids in EB time so no need to talk about aids here...) but to be honest I don't know what kind of reform would change that.

one of the FAQs even is "where's the FAQ?" ^^ and i had a hard time finding them myself. :rolleyes3:

Dude, every important general and figure in history had aides.

Aemilius Paulus

01-10-2009, 01:54

I'm beginning to actually agree with Aemilius here.

Agree with me on what?

||Lz3||

01-10-2009, 02:19

Agree with me on what?

That we need to lower/diminish/eradicate spam... :whip:

Reason
Too much cholesterol...

antisocialmunky

01-10-2009, 05:10

Dude, every important general and figure in history had aides.

That was a stupid episode of South Park and an even stupider joke. Why the hell did you just spam in a topic about not spamming..?:inquisitive:

HayGuy

01-10-2009, 06:11

Oh relax.

I agree this forum is getting swamped with worthless and even offensive posts. How active are the moderators here?

bovi

01-10-2009, 09:52

Moderators have tried to be as lenient as possible, as we don't really like to censor. If you want, you can add to the discussion over moderation here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=109841&highlight=discussion+moderation).

Cambyses

01-10-2009, 09:53

It is my opinion that it is impossible to properly appreciate history if we do not place it in a modern context, ie review it in our own minds with their unique experiences. If the discussion is limited solely to EB and there is no room for context I believe we will lose a great deal of the value from this excellent forum. :whip:

Ludens

01-10-2009, 11:38

Do I apply to join the Backroom or EB?

Backroom.

a completely inoffensive name

01-11-2009, 00:43

Olaf The Great

01-11-2009, 01:26

Honestly, I didn't see the point in locking the threads about ancient partying etc.. until people started talking about AIDS. Then the mods should have just deleted the 3-6 posts about it, posted a warning and let the conversation continue.
I remember back in the day when all the Offtopic posts were moved to the Blame Game or Tavern Threads.

/miss 2007
I blame Dayve, and IN BEFORE THE LOCK

a completely inoffensive name

01-11-2009, 02:11

I remember back in the day when all the Offtopic posts were moved to the Blame Game or Tavern Threads.

/miss 2007
I blame Dayve, and IN BEFORE THE LOCK

lol that would be ironic, that closing the EB Tavern to stop the massive spam and off topic posts just backfired and spilled all the spam and off topic posts into actual, important threads.

Megas Methuselah

01-11-2009, 04:22

lol that would be ironic, that closing the EB Tavern to stop the massive spam and off topic posts just backfired and spilled all the spam and off topic posts into actual, important threads.

Yes. Yes, it would be ironic.

I agree this forum is getting swamped with worthless and even offensive posts. How active are the moderators here?

Well, don't blame the mods. They need to sleep sometimes, see?

We seriously need to stop the stupid posts and topics that we know are going to get locked - there are so many, I'm beginning to actually agree with Aemilius here. Sure, it's great to have an alternate type of thread, but go to 4chan or something to flame people, etc.

So, Geek. What reforms do you propose?

desert

01-11-2009, 04:38

There's really nothing that can be done about spam except drastically increasing the punishment for posting it. I'm saying in general. And that's probably not a good idea.

That, or making 1000 anti-spam motivational posters that will appear every time you click Submit Reply.

antisocialmunky

01-11-2009, 04:53

Honestly, this is a useless thread honestly seeing as some of the biggest culprits have posted here denouncing spam. Well that's great but it only shows congnizance of the fact that there is a spam problem and that's its bad. Well I'm sorry to break it to some of you(you know who you are and I might very well be one of them), but you're trying to legislate a punishment for everyone when it is in fact not needed because the infractions are by few - many that are here. You are asking people to control your behavior - to rein in your acts. You can do that yourself. The current policies are fine, we haven't had much of a problem in the past.

I am just stating the facts. So to those who have been guilty of inordinate spam, don't. And to those who don't, don't add to it.

Novellus

01-11-2009, 05:23

gamegeek2

01-12-2009, 01:09

I'm just pissed that interesting threads are getting locked because people post stupid stuff.

Like talking about AIDS and nationalities.

bovi

01-12-2009, 07:44

lol that would be ironic, that closing the EB Tavern to stop the massive spam and off topic posts just backfired and spilled all the spam and off topic posts into actual, important threads.
They did that before it was closed, part of the reason why it was closed. And perhaps less ironic that your "EB social group" is still spilling into the forum.

a completely inoffensive name

01-12-2009, 07:48

They did that before it was closed, part of the reason why it was closed. And perhaps less ironic that your "EB social group" is still spilling into the forum.

Who said it was mine? Appo is the bartender/creator of the social group, and according to his views, I believe he views the EB Tavern as belonging to all of us.

bovi

01-12-2009, 08:12

I said it was yours. You're a part of it, right?

a completely inoffensive name

01-12-2009, 08:26

I said it was yours. You're a part of it, right?

I am a part of it yes. But it is not "ACIN's EB Tavern". Which is what it seems you are implying.

bovi

01-12-2009, 09:11

Your = belongs to you personally
Your = belongs to you and the relevant group being referred to

That's English for you. That's how English works, there is no difference between second person singular and multiple second person. I could do it discern between the two in Norwegian, it would be more precise but you wouldn't understand I presume you don't know Norwegian.

Did you however catch that the basic point is the spillage?

a completely inoffensive name

01-12-2009, 09:20

Your = belongs to you personally
Your = belongs to you and the relevant group being referred to

That's English for you. I could do it in Norwegian, it would be more precise but you wouldn't understand.

Did you however catch that the basic point is the spillage?

No, could you go over it in a less jerkish way? Maybe the Norwegian will help as well, best do both.

bovi

01-12-2009, 11:53

Enough of this charade, take it by PM if you have more to say.

Edit: Oh, I see now what you could take as jerkish. Fixed it.

General Appo

01-12-2009, 17:39

Who said it was mine? Appo is the bartender/creator of the social group, and according to his views, I believe he views the EB Tavern as belonging to all of us.

The EB Tavern is a fully charitable organisation designed to aid and help both the amazing moderators and those unfortunates who have displayed a certain tendency to sometimes engage in what is commonly refered to as "spamming".
By setting up an area in which these "spammers" can vent much of their built-up aggression in the form of harmless spam, we seek to gradually move these spammers away from the general forums, therebly "easing the burden" upon our wonderful moderators.
We also seek to gradually convince these "spammers" of their wrongdoings and help them break free of their addiction, and comes to terms with themselves. In order to accomplish this we have set up a relaxed enviroment without clear authority figures where our patients can "spam" without the familiar rush of "defying authorities", while at the same time, in a more constricted manner that previously of course, "defying the authorities" over at the normal forums, thereby gradually breaking the "spammers" free of their addiction in the same way as a smoker might gradually diminish the amount of cigarettes he smoke every week.
But of course, as it is with breaking any addiction, it is a very difficult process, and temporary setbacks are not unknown.

But overall, I feel we have been making good progress, especially as, contrary to popular belief, the amount of spamming has decidedly decreased the since the creating of our support group. And indeed, much of the spamming now carried out is conducted by people not part of our group. Of course, we always strive to "recruit" these people in order to aid them with their addiction.

I hope this has helped clear out a few things about the EB Tavern and its purpose.

Also, any further questions regarding the EB Tavern or any of its members would be best directed at me, as I am ultimately responsible for the Tavern and, if I may say so, most qualified to produce an intelligent answer.

General Appo

01-12-2009, 18:09

Just to add a personal note here. As of lately I myself have gradually declined in the amount of posts I produce on the EB forums.
The main reason behind this, I believe, is quite simple. After having spent quite a long time on the EB forums (almost 2 years, I frequented the forums long before I joined them) I have seen most topics pop up once, twice or twohundredsixtyseven times already, and is therefore inclined to ignore them when they pop up again.
For example, more then half of the topics on the first page right now have already popped up before, and most likely more than once, and I have already responded to these topics at least once.
The same has begun to become true for the EBII forums.

MarcusAureliusAntoninus

01-12-2009, 21:54

This thread is nearing locking time.

Keep in mind that some people are about to banned from the EB fora...

johnhughthom

01-13-2009, 00:38

Is it really so bad people need banning? One of the things I have always liked about this forum is the relaxed moderation, sure there is some annoying spamming but it's easily ignored and usually harmless.

Hax

01-13-2009, 00:40

Subotan

01-13-2009, 00:42

You don't understand the point.

The EB forums are made to discuss the EB mod, and possible AAR's, bug reports, questions and mini-mods. Not for your personal enjoyment. If you want to discuss off-topic stuff, go to the Frontroom.

Well, generally they are, but thread drift is in my opinion a healthy sign of a forum (So long as it stays relatively related to the topic, and not trolling.). Besides, it's hardly /b/.

a completely inoffensive name

01-13-2009, 00:43

Enough of this charade, take it by PM if you have more to say.

Edit: Oh, I see now what you could take as jerkish. Fixed it.

Thank you, I understand what you meant, it just seemed rude to me.

Just to add a personal note here. As of lately I myself have gradually declined in the amount of posts I produce on the EB forums.
The main reason behind this, I believe, is quite simple. After having spent quite a long time on the EB forums (almost 2 years, I frequented the forums long before I joined them) I have seen most topics pop up once, twice or twohundredsixtyseven times already, and is therefore inclined to ignore them when they pop up again.
For example, more then half of the topics on the first page right now have already popped up before, and most likely more than once, and I have already responded to these topics at least once.
The same has begun to become true for the EBII forums.

Yeah, this is the main reason of why spam is occurring more then usual, because over half the topics on the front page every day I search and find 3 exact copies, popping up 6-12 months after the last one died. Now since the last release and the transfer of the EB team to EB2, the EB1 forum has exhausted all topics multiple times, while the EB2 forum has been (with the exception of the occasional preview) just pure speculation, where every possible faction or ability within the Kingdoms engine has been hashed out over and over again. I was really liking those outside the box type of threads such as ancient partying because no one had talked about it before, but it and others were locked, like this one probably will later today. Its a shame, I blame the idiots who went too far with their comments and not the mods for that one though.

Oh also, the more interesting topics such as the now locked "fertility in EB's time" thread, essentially got closed because of idiots posting comments backed up by nothing and seemed like pure opinion more then any factual basis, (which lobf got really upset over). This happens a lot more often then is realized, such as the "Unofficial Little things we want in EB2" thread, where abou reacted the same as lobf did in the fertility thread due to a stupid comment by someone and that ended up getting locked as well (anger spawns more anger etc..).

Hax

01-13-2009, 00:46

Well, generally they are, but thread drift is in my opinion a healthy sign of a forum (So long as it stays relatively related to the topic, and not trolling.). Besides, it's hardly /b/.

The EB forums are part of the .org forums. They have their own off-topic forums.

johnhughthom

01-13-2009, 00:46

You don't understand the point.

The EB forums are made to discuss the EB mod, and possible AAR's, bug reports, questions and mini-mods. Not for your personal enjoyment. If you want to discuss off-topic stuff, go to the Frontroom.

Personally I think condescending posts like that are much worse than spam, but let's just leave it at that.

antisocialmunky

01-13-2009, 00:53

He's still right.

Subotan

01-13-2009, 00:56

The EB forums are part of the .org forums. They have their own off-topic forums.

Most EBers never venture out of the EB sub forum into the rest of the .org. I think I've done it once, because I heard there was a babe thread.

Olaf The Great

01-13-2009, 02:02

EB might want to invest in it's own forum, so we can avoid the spam and rage.
And who did things worthy of a ban?

a completely inoffensive name

01-13-2009, 04:57

Why does it seem like my last post is being ignored?

||Lz3||

01-13-2009, 05:13

I think this thread should be closed... in fact, I though it would have been closed the day it was open, I don't know why it's still here...

For offtopic things there's the Frontroom. https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&f=48

I think the current management of this subforum is one of the best I've ever seen (by having tolerance and yet being somewhat strick), but if certain individuals keep trying to go over the edge... things won't go nice...

Mediolanicus

01-13-2009, 12:10

I think this thread should be closed... in fact, I though it would have been closed the day it was open, I don't know why it's still here...

It just can't be that 7 threads on the first page of this forum are locked (and somehow I feel that because of some people this will end up being number 8).

I wonder whether I should be happy my prediction is about to come true, or sad because every thread where someone dares to give an opinion about something, anything, ends up closed...

antisocialmunky

01-13-2009, 15:29

Well the thread has run its course. And only the threads that go off topic or offensive are locked. Don't be so cynical.

General Appo

01-14-2009, 00:02

I wonder whether I should be happy my prediction is about to come true, or sad because every thread where someone dares to give an opinion about something, anything, ends up closed...

First, completely untrue, second...so what? It's not a democracy.

And to everyone, posting just to say that a thread should be closed...is rather uncalled for if you ask me.

gamegeek2

01-14-2009, 01:57

The thread has done its job.

a completely inoffensive name

01-14-2009, 02:08

What job, letting people voice their opinion with nothing actually being done?

desert

01-14-2009, 02:17

^ Made me recall that old post-Soviet saying about barking dogs.

antisocialmunky

01-14-2009, 04:11

What job, letting people voice their opinion with nothing actually being done?

We could do it Mao's way and hunt down everyone who posted something in this thread that want to change things and send them to EBII scripting camps.

lobf

01-14-2009, 06:18

Oh also, the more interesting topics such as the now locked "fertility in EB's time" thread, essentially got closed because of idiots posting comments backed up by nothing and seemed like pure opinion more then any factual basis, (which lobf got really upset over). This happens a lot more often then is realized, such as the "Unofficial Little things we want in EB2" thread, where abou reacted the same as lobf did in the fertility thread due to a stupid comment by someone and that ended up getting locked as well (anger spawns more anger etc..).

You understand me. :flowers:

Anyways- A forum won't survive if it's all business. The team should honestly consider a dedicated "tavern" style forum. I have frequented the Ambrosia Software forums for 5-6 years now, primarily because of the great sense of community that comes from people of shared interests discussing things other than what brought them together. Ambrosia does this by having a forum dedicated to all of their games, and 2 or 3 others dedicated to whatever the forums goers want (It's evolved into a serious discussion forum, a semi-intelligent nonsense forum, and a complete, spamerific, spam-shower-forum.)

The point is, you can't expect a coherent community if all we can talk about is Europa Barbarorum. Trust that we all love your game- It's not like we saw it advertised on MTV or something. So give the people who need it an outlet (an accessible outlet... not the difficult-to-find, more-difficult-to-keep-track-of tavern social group) and sanction off topic discussion somewhere you can control it. I think you'll find you'd have the support of the community at large for policing spam and keeping it corralled into it's area and away from the serious forums.

Seacrest out.

Edit- Oh, and those of you back-seat moderate by posting spam about how a topic should be locked- Shut up. Seriously. You weren't chosen to be a mod for a reason, so don't further derail a topic by talking about how crappy and derailed it is. You suck so hard.

A Terribly Harmful Name

01-14-2009, 06:32

Yeah, we suck...

Wait, what?

bovi

01-14-2009, 07:17

The team should honestly consider a dedicated "tavern" style forum.
There. (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=12) Is. (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=48) Already. (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=19)

Megas Methuselah

01-14-2009, 07:17

That's right, you suck. :clown:

My God, gamegeek2 is such an idiot. Seriously, what kind of kid spams such an important forum with this kind of idiocy? If you're so concerned with pulling a Gracchus, go brown-nose the moderators and discuss it in privacy. Besides, you claim to want "forum reforms," but also happen to make no meaningful propositions yourself. Does it make you feel important, reading your own, useless words? Unable to partake in any acedemic and historic-wise conversations amongst the wise men, you choose to spam this forum with complaints in an attempt to help your already low self-esteem. Well, fall over and rot. I hope the dogs eat your corpse.

A Terribly Harmful Name

01-14-2009, 07:28

I have to agree with Methuselah here.

Gamegeek, stop inflating your pompous arse and know your place here. We need no reforms. We're right, and you're wrong, fella; I know an end to spam is an admirable goal. Sometimes I wish that too... But, since we are fallible and gullible humans, some more than others, then you must content yourself with the harsh realities of life. It's the first step towards maturity you know, and one of these harsh facts is that we are going to have SPAM as long as man eats animal derived products and navigate on internet forums. So, there's no way to implement your little utopia. Let's just continue normally, following things as they always were and always should be, and trust the EB forum moderators to do things in the way it pleases them, after all, what is good for them, is good for us too!

Megas Methuselah

01-14-2009, 07:47

From the incest thread in the EB2 forum:

Oh my, Cleopatra, is that a SELEUKID?

Maybe if you actually bothered to stop spamming yourself, something can actually be done to help cleanse the forums. However, it just so happens that you are much more hypocritical than George W. Bush. The mere mention of your username makes me sick. Change it. And change your avatar, too. As well as your attitude. Then come back in a few years when you're more mature. Maybe then I'll forgive you. Or maybe I'll just backhand you.

a completely inoffensive name

01-14-2009, 08:13

There. (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=12) Is. (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=48) Already. (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=19)

Not everyone is in the backroom, and the frontroom consists of (and I am looking at it right now)

"The Word Game" (useless +1 posting)
"True or False..." (useless +1 posting)
"3 word story" (useless +1 posting)
"Official Post Celebration thread" (useless +1 posting)
"Beautiful Girl in Supermarket Problem" (someone asking online for advice on his personal life, oh yay)
"The Heart Attack Grill" (An actual good thread)
"What do you think of the new star trek movie?" (pointless opinion thread)
"Do you prefer subtitles..." (more other peoples opinions)
"Since everyone is seems to explain his personal drama..."(another person asking random online strangers what to do with his personal life)
"I have taken a second job." (good thread)

Just by taking a sample of the top 10 threads right now, only two are good off topic threads where some fun discussion could occur. Sign me up (sarcasm). The spam of the EB forums has been seen to be fun off topic posts that derail the serious conversation into something silly. You point us to the frontroom as the solution to the problem of posters needing silly conversation and yet every day I check the frontroom I see yet another opinion, +1 useless post, or personal advice thread. True off topic silly conversations are dying in the frontroom from what I see so far, and that is seen by the rise of so called "spam" in the EB forum.

Hax

01-14-2009, 10:04

From "The Guild FAQ"

Posts containing addresses of warez sites or anything piracy-related: note that this includes "hacks" designed to enable Shogun: Total War, Medieval: Total War and Rome: Total War to run without a CD. The administration is aware of the fact that some use a "no-CD hack" for the purpose of enhancing their system performance, but we feel that the possible illegal benefits from these hacks outweigh all other considerations. Such hacks also require reverse engineering of the game, and this is in violation of the End User Licence Agreement. Anything pertaining to software piracy in general is highly discouraged.
Posts containing information on and/or requests for the Shogun: Total War, Medieval: Total War or Rome: Total War CD key codes: if you have lost your CD key, you should contact Electronic Arts or Activision Customer Support. Anyone asking for a CD key here will be assumed to be trying to deny the developers rightful compensation for their work.
Posts concerning, or asking about, technical specifications for multiplayer cheating. Cheating in the single-player game is a private matter for each user, but cheating in the multiplayer game detracts from everyone's enjoyment, and from the gaming community as a whole.
Posts containing names of people suspected of cheating in the multiplayer game. This clause has been much debated; its purpose is to avoid fruitless controversy. No conclusive proof on anyone cheating in the multiplayer game can be obtained or presented. Therefore, the Staff and the majority of the patrons (approximately 70% voted in favour) feel that it is for the best to avoid making accusations; even if truthful, their inconclusiveness will probably lead to "flame wars" which are inconvenient to the forum and every member. Keeping of private "cheater blacklists" is allowed, indeed encouraged, but The Guild does not wish to be a medium for this. (Note: in the case of "name posting", the staff will often edit out the name rather than deleting the entire message.)
Posts containing "spam", such as advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations. Recommending a game you like is not wrong, as long as you are not trying to sell it. User accounts created exclusively for the purpose of posting inconsequential advertisements will be unceremoniously banned.
Posts containing any generally objectionable material: knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law. Posting of copyrighted material, unless the copyright is owned by you or by The Guild, is discouraged. The Guild expects its patrons to remain civil even in the face of disagreements. Any kind of "flaming", slurs, or insults -- addressed to either an individual or a group -- is extremely inappropriate. Please respect etiquette at all times.

Do you now understand? This is not an independent forum. This forum is part of The Guild. The Guild has its rules.

And that's that.

Foot

01-14-2009, 10:28

Hello EB Forum Users,

We understand the concern some of you feel about where this forum is going and the behaviour of certain people, who act as instigators and ring-leaders (though I am certain without intent). In the past we have tolerated repeat behaviour from people on matters such as spam and offensive posting. We understand now how this has had a damaging effect on the community-within-a-community we have here. It is no longer good enough for us to just ignore this behaviour, or act on it as if each incident is separate.

We will be making an announcement about changes to our moderating policy soon. Until then we would be grateful if all posting returned to topics about EB and the Ancient World and steered clear of discussion about our future policies.

Kind Regards,