Spicing Up the Forum

[EuroTroll]

I'd like to discuss with you, lassies and lads, our forum's policy regarding moderating. Now, I know Mark makes the policy, but perhaps he wouldn't mind some constructive feedback?

As Knock-on said on another thread, the forum nowadays is much more sanitized than it used to be. It is also a lot quieter... I think he's on to something, and there's a connection there.

The forum, as I see it, is all about having fun. And, let's face it, flame wars are fun. Calling your fellow forumer some witty name is fun! Now, you might disagree with that, but I think you can't disagree with the assertion that what they bring to the forum is more turn-over, more posts. And what this forum desperately needs IMO is more posts. It really has got terribly quiet...

So what I'd like to ask is your opinion on the following questions:
- Must this be a "family forum"?
- Would you like the moderator's to just let things go a bit more?
- Would you mind it if the forum had more really-really heated discussions about things?

Of course, your other thoughts on how to spice up the forum are most welcomed too! I'm sure what we all want is for this forum to prosper, and be loads of fun.

[Mintexmemory]

Unfortunately the anonymity of forum postings allows certain individuals to lose all sense of proportion. Heated debate is one thing, adolescent name calling (which the majority of 'lively exchanges' seem to descend to) is another. My personal rule is never call someone something you wouldn't say if they were standing in front of you. Hijacking of threads by dweebs seeking some sort of revenge for a previous 'name calling' also lowers ther tone of the place. Sorry ET you want more excitement find a place more to your liking. I'm not so bothered about this being a family forum but I do like it to be 'adult' in the true sense of the word

[EuroTroll]

I hear you Mintexmemory, but! And it's a "but" the size of my butt.

I joined the forum back in 2004, and the place was really buzzing then! I think we probably have a quarter of the activity now, compared to what it was back then.

I do think it's to do with moderating policy. I'm not saying the forum should become unmoderated! That would make a total mess. What I'm calling for is a loosening of reins just a little bit...

[Mark]

The moderating is roughly the same as it was then, in fact it's probably considerably less moderated.

The forum is quieter, just because in 2004 there wasn't the likes of facebook and myriad other things on the internet, plus we had lots of partner sites sending us traffic whereas we have almost none now. Forums in general are that bit less popular than they used to be.

[henners88]

I think we lost a fair few posters when the forum had the fallout with moronsport.com too. I've directed people from other forums to here in the past, but we have lost some familiar faces over the years. Some people haven't agreed with the politics F1 has used in recent times and the TV decision has lost us a couple of posters to my knowledge. I think the best way to attract new people to the forum is through twitter to be honest. Plug the site Mark and contact F1 journo's who often re-tweet on your behalf. It seems to be an effective way to spread the word in my experience and its of course free. I don't think the moderation needs to be relaxed any more than it is because some people take the Michael with the restrictions we have right now. If you let people say what you want you end up with a troll fest like autosports bulletin board and no decent discussion ever gets had. That was one of the reasons I came here and no longer post over there.

More posters is key, but keep the rules as they are..

[Wasted Talent]

Well I don't want to come here to see bitching and name calling - leave it as it is.....

WT

[Starter]

I'd like to discuss with you, lassies and lads, our forum's policy regarding moderating. Now, I know Mark makes the policy, but perhaps he wouldn't mind some constructive feedback?

As Knock-on said on another thread, the forum nowadays is much more sanitized than it used to be. It is also a lot quieter... I think he's on to something, and there's a connection there.

The forum, as I see it, is all about having fun. And, let's face it, flame wars are fun. Calling your fellow forumer some witty name is fun! Now, you might disagree with that, but I think you can't disagree with the assertion that what they bring to the forum is more turn-over, more posts. And what this forum desperately needs IMO is more posts. It really has got terribly quiet...

I'll speak as an ex moderator here. There is a lot to be said for keeping a reasonable level of decorum in the forums. If it's not something you would say face to face down at the local pub, perhaps you should re think your comments. You can have lots of dissenting opinions without getting personally insulting.

So what I'd like to ask is your opinion on the following questions:
- Must this be a "family forum"?

Well, define "family forum". It's good to remember that this is an open forum and children can, and do, read posts here. If it's not something you would want YOUR child to read, then maybe it's not appropriate to post it here.

- Would you like the moderator's to just let things go a bit more?

This is already a pretty open forum compared to some. The mods here, for instance, don't espouse any particular opinion as happens some places - where you might get banned if you disagree with them.

- Would you mind it if the forum had more really-really heated discussions about things?

Really heated is fine. It's when posters cross over into obscenities and insults that presents a problem. Most members have no idea of some of the messes that the mods have to clean up. They on the ball and the worst examples are gone before most members have a chance to see them. You would be absolutely amazed at some of the garbage that's been posted over the years.

Of course, your other thoughts on how to spice up the forum are most welcomed too! I'm sure what we all want is for this forum to prosper, and be loads of fun.

This forum has always been fun and still is. One of the comments posted above about times and forum activity changing are true though. IMO that is responsible for some of the decreased activity. Auto racing is also not as popular as it has been, at least on this side of the Atlantic, and that has had an effect too.

[airshifter]

The problem with the initial thought is that the moderators can't always "see" where it is friendly banter that nobody takes offense to and when it becomes something that people do get offended by. Harmless joking between friends or acquaintances can easily be taken out of context when in written words.

Though at times less moderating does knock down some walls, it usually ends up in chaos and flame wars. Just my opinion.

[BDunnell]

I'll speak as an ex moderator here. There is a lot to be said for keeping a reasonable level of decorum in the forums. If it's not something you would say face to face down at the local pub, perhaps you should re think your comments.

This comparison I've always found rather pointless, I must say, largely because you tend to go to the pub with people you know you like. Having discussions on forums, Twitter, etc isn't the same at all. You come into contact with the sort of individuals you'd never normally associate with, let alone be friendly or socialise with.

[BDunnell]

I'd like to discuss with you, lassies and lads, our forum's policy regarding moderating. Now, I know Mark makes the policy, but perhaps he wouldn't mind some constructive feedback?

As Knock-on said on another thread, the forum nowadays is much more sanitized than it used to be. It is also a lot quieter... I think he's on to something, and there's a connection there.

The forum, as I see it, is all about having fun. And, let's face it, flame wars are fun. Calling your fellow forumer some witty name is fun! Now, you might disagree with that, but I think you can't disagree with the assertion that what they bring to the forum is more turn-over, more posts. And what this forum desperately needs IMO is more posts. It really has got terribly quiet...

So what I'd like to ask is your opinion on the following questions:
- Must this be a "family forum"?
- Would you like the moderator's to just let things go a bit more?
- Would you mind it if the forum had more really-really heated discussions about things?

Of course, your other thoughts on how to spice up the forum are most welcomed too! I'm sure what we all want is for this forum to prosper, and be loads of fun.

I don't think there needs to be any change at all, even though I have over time questioned the basic competency of some (far from all) of the moderating. In fact, I'd much rather all members were as friendly, reasonable and interesting as you have always been yourself.