How can the Backroom be better for you?

[solypsist]

List what you'd like to see either changed or encouraged.

For me:

1. less threads on the same subject - there's no need to create a thread on every little update going on about some current discussion.
2. less threads that are simply a headline with article posted and no input from the thread creator about why this particular item was threadworthy. pretty popular with "Gotcha!" threads on the U.S. administration.
3. more jokes or interesting (non-political) topics.
4. more threads on European matters.

[Strike For The South]

more threads about Texas

Honestly the big thing for me is the fun stuff. This could be like the frontrooms slutty cousin

[GoreBag]

Honestly the big thing for me is the fun stuff. This could be like the frontrooms slutty cousin

I can already see myself getting in trouble.

[Proletariat]

Some of what you mention is a bit obnoxious (five million threads about the same issue, ie the cartoon threads), but I don't quite understand. Threads that are interesting are responded to, threads that aren't slide off the first page.

If it ain't broke...

[Proletariat]

One thing that should clearly be changed, and has been brought up before here, is the cutting and pasting of complete articles. It's blatantly unethical for a forum to allow this. Posting an excerpt and providing a link is obviously perfectly acceptable. When you ignore providing a link completely, the author/website doesn't receive a 'hit' and is then robbed of their due.

[Lemur]

I'm all in favor of more silliness, less partisanship. But I don't see how that can be directed from the mod level. You could be more aggressive about combining multiple threads that address the same issue; beyond that I'm not so sure. And Prole has a (mostly) valid point -- people respond to what grabs their attention. Perfectly natural. Doesn't mean it's the best system in the world, bit I can't think of better.

It's like that over-quoted line from Sir Winston about democracy being the worst form of government except for every other form.

[Louis VI the Fat]

List what you'd like to see either changed or encouraged.

For me:

1. less threads on the same subject - there's no need to create a thread on every little update going on about some current discussion.
2. less threads that are simply a headline with article posted and no input from the thread creator about why this particular item was threadworthy. pretty popular with "Gotcha!" threads on the U.S. administration.
3. more jokes or interesting (non-political) topics.
4. more threads on European matters.

2. *cough*
3. I would love more non-polital topics.
4. Sure, but they would have to be pan-European, or have a global impact or relevance. Otherwise, it would be a fruitless exercise.
Last month, there were presidential elections in Finland. It didn't get discussed here. And probably rightfully so. I, for one, have very little to say about Tarja Halonen being reelected. Who here does, besides that handful of Finns here?

[solypsist]

i was actually thinking more like this, where it's just the headline and news blurb and no commentary from the poster whatsoever.

2. *cough*

[Kaiser of Arabia]

More Kaiser
Less everyone else

[Soulforged]

I'm assuming that this thread has actually some practical purpose, and expecting to see at least some changes implemented, not that it determines my existence, but it will be good.

1. less threads on the same subject - there's no need to create a thread on every little update going on about some current discussion.

Agreed.

2. less threads that are simply a headline with article posted and no input from the thread creator about why this particular item was threadworthy. pretty popular with "Gotcha!" threads on the U.S. administration.

Agreed, put them on the Trashroom, sorry, Frontroom.

3. more jokes or interesting (non-political) topics.

Not sure if I agree. For what I see, and speaking without knowing the initial purpose of this section, the Backroom might have turned into a place of pure discussion, debate and opinion, non-political subjects are susceptible of such activity while jokes seem more Frontroomish in my opinion.

4. more threads on European matters.

For that matter, why not global. I think that the question is simple, most users are either europeans or northamericans, wich will reduce the field of interest to those two. [sarcasm on] Besides we all know that the Earth revolves around an axis, the USA.[sarcasm off]

I'll like to add the permision of "bad words", called here "foul", and I'm not talking of topics constructed over the basis of flaming and insulting or simply using those terms. But I believe, even more in the context of recent events, that freedom of speech is the most valuable thing that there's, and sometimes this "foul words" can proove very well a point or even be empty of any intention or content an seize to be "foul".
I particulary dislike the threads that try to make points that are unproovable, and the ones that try to notice that one country is better than the other.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

One thing that should clearly be changed, and has been brought up before here, is the cutting and pasting of complete articles. It's blatantly unethical for a forum to allow this. Posting an excerpt and providing a link is obviously perfectly acceptable. When you ignore providing a link completely, the author/website doesn't receive a 'hit' and is then robbed of their due.

Boooooo

Post both. We went through this already. In fact we had a whole thread on it. I know I ignore many links. Whole articles are very good for starting threads. Some of the longest lasting threads ever here have been started by yours truly this way.

[Strike For The South]

We have Spoilers..USE THEM!~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111111111111231`1`

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Thats for stuff you want hidden


Ive got my own style after 12000 posts and Im not changing it.

[Strike For The South]

that senior stuff goes to the head dont it

[Proletariat]

Boooooo

Post both. We went through this already. In fact we had a whole thread on it. I know I ignore many links. Whole articles are very good for starting threads. Some of the longest lasting threads ever here have been started by yours truly this way.

Yeah, but just because you've been doing it doesn't mean it's right.

[Soulforged]

Yeah, but just because you've been doing it doesn't mean it's right.

Another valid point Prole. How about this one: just because the authorities say so it doesn't mean that it's right or it's true.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Yeah, but just because you've been doing it doesn't mean it's right

And just because you say so doesnt make it wrong.

Now can we get back on topic here.

[rory_20_uk]

The very organic "bottom up" nature of the board means that what is there is usually what is wanted. The only other option is for people to be like teachers and try to get discussions started by seeding threads on other topics. That would be fine, especially if they are allowed to die if no one else posts...

I think that the spoilers are fantastic! I'm sorry to hear that some more senior members are unable to adapt to change. So many endeavours seem to hit brick wall when the silver hair brigade is involved

[Just A Girl]

I like the backroom just fine how it is i think its Great.

Prehaps more merging of similar threads would be good,
But im a happy camper.

[Tachikaze]

Other than the prohibition against "foul language", I can't say there's much to complain about.

Encouraged? Recently, in one of the threads, I had a very civil discourse with two people taking a conservative (i.e. opposing) stance. They were both rational and courteous. It influenced the attitude in my posts to be the same. I also took their posts more seriously.

[Quietus]

List what you'd like to see either changed or encouraged.

For me:

1. less threads on the same subject - there's no need to create a thread on every little update going on about some current discussion.
2. less threads that are simply a headline with article posted and no input from the thread creator about why this particular item was threadworthy. pretty popular with "Gotcha!" threads on the U.S. administration.
3. more jokes or interesting (non-political) topics.
4. more threads on European matters.

1) Make the backroom visible to guests. (Do not wonder why the subjects are all essentially the same; the backroom needs new blood!)
2) Less Googled, Wikied, or Cut & Pasted, stand-alone "arguments".
3) Less personal attacks (although I just filter it myself).

edit:
4) Oh yeah, less thread closings for little or no apparent reasons. It would be better to just edit any offending post rather close the whole deal.