I like the idea of a probationary period during which for the first, oh, say 6 months you may not post, only read comments. And no thread starting privileges until after one year - at least one year. Draconian, yes, but I feel like a big part of the problem comes from the newer posters. I'd like them to have to read more and post lest at first...
I don't think that is a good idea since the typical user won't know about the headlines. For example, if there is a strong trade rumor that we will trade someone, it won't be hidden in pages of discussion.
I think some general pointers would help a lot of our fellow posters: (1) If we want to reduce the level of hate in our forum: Before posting ask yourselves these 3 questions - is it necessary? If yes, then ask - is it true? If yes, finally ask - is it kind? If your own answer to any of these 3 questions is a no, you shouldn't post it. (2) If we want to improve the quality of the posts in our forum: ask yourselves another 3 questions - Is it something new? If yes, then ask - Is it something useful? If yes, finally ask - Is it something positive? Again if your answer to any of these 3 questions is a no, you shouldn't post it. (3) If we want to improve the behavior of posters (I know Clutch has a tough job trying to do this) - we should really start with ourselves. Ask yourself these 3 questions - Can I ignore a post that annoys me? If no, then ask - Will I be adding oil to fire (i.e. making it worse)? If no, finally ask - Will what I'm posting target another poster? If any of your answers is a "yes" - you shouldn't post. Simply remembering to stick with facts and try to avoid making personal attacks (to both our players or other posters) will reduce a lot of negativity. Also remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinions but also remember that most people aren't really interested about your opinions - trying to force your opinions upon others (or insisting that the whole forum should abide by your world view) is not the best of approaches to try and convince the person disagreeing with you. In ending, remember to have fun, stay positive. If someone starts something negative you don't have to pick it up - i.e. it's not a baggage that you need to keep nor hold, whatever things someone say about you - if it's not true, why be bothered? If it's true, learn from it and move on. You don't owe a response to negative people and no, you don't always need to have the last word. If you sense someone has a negative personality why make yourself miserable by sticking with them?
Axe the people who only post in here to share how much they hate ____ and how much he sucks. Basically the ones who stayed in their caves after the NO game, but will reappear on full blast if we lose tonight!
This website and GARM is pretty good as is. Only improvement (and I mean it completely constructively) is for the moderator/creator to be less bias. Every fan can have their own favorites and view point including of course the moderators but they need to chill a bit when others disagree with them. For example I think Beverly is hot trash as a starting NBA PG. I think he makes an excellent 3rd string PG and a great defensive specialists. This viewpoint is the opinion of many NBA fans and Rockets fans. It is backed up by statistical facts which shows Beverly gives you zilch on offense and his defense is inconsistent. He basically gets destroyed by many avg PGs on a regular basis. I think Jeremy is a vastly better PG than Beverly. Although Lin at this point is just a solid starting PG in the NBA and in my opinion NOT a star PG. But a solid starting PG is vastly better than a 3rd string PG. Again my opinion of Lin is the same opinion many NBA experts and fans think and is backed up by statistical facts. So when the moderators/creator seem to favor Bev over Lin and then punishes posters who disagrees with insults like "LOF", limiting their posting/reping privileges it makes this website worst. For those who say only have a dedicated thread for every player. This will work too but expect certain threads to have thousands of replies while others to be empty.
Some people need to realize that we are all here at the sufferance of Clutch. That he owns this BBS, he makes the rules, and if we don't like some of them, or how he does certain things (talking to the member that made this post), then instead of making what I find far too often to be bizarre statements about what bothers them, and requests that Clutch "do this" and Clutch "do that," that those "upset" members go out into the ether and find another BBS that more suits their proclivities. In my humble opinion.
Find out the original reason for the creation of this site by Clutch Make sure your reason is the same
Maybe if you don't want to see the LOF tag , maybe just maybe you shouldn't call bev "hot trash". We are rockets fans we support the direction of the organisation until they turn into the bucks 2.0 front office
It's pretty much your type of posts that deteriorate the quality of the GARM. You make statements like "Beverley is hot trash", and claim you have statistical facts to back up that statement and that your opinion is backed up by many NBA fans and Rocket fans. Then you go on to say the moderators favor Beverley and punish posters who disagrees. None of what you said has any ounce of truth in it, nor do you even try to be moderate in your statements. They are just extreme statements. I find it extremely ironic that of all the threads to post these comments in, you post it in the exact thread that is trying to improve the GARM.
Fans aren't lemmings. Supporting the Rockets team doesn't mean you have to support all the decisions by the coaches or management. That said- 1) The direction the organization is headed seems to be up, not down. Hard to complain about that. 2) The worst you should say about any Rocket who is clearly making an effort is "not good." A description like "hot trash" should be reserved for players that aren't making an effort (looking at you, Royce).
Simple trade Lin.... This board is about 100x better than most because honestly quality threads are much more the norm. The forum self polices pretty well i.e. we will ridicule the heck out of a crap thread to the point where most experienced posters will not create a GARM thread unless they are sure it's a good topic. Also kudos to the mods that are quick to merge or lock. I only wish when threads are moved to an appropriate forum the link or whatever it is wouldn't clutter up the GARM.
I visit this forum more than any other and I support pretty much all major sports globally, I'm a huge rockets fan and a huge fan of clutchfans. I can't stand the Jeremy Lin debate, I don't love him, I don't hate him, I feel I know what his game entails and believe he is a great 6th man playing 30+ a night. He is a polarising figure - I get that - but can't we all just support him as a player on the team rather than either be excessive in love or hate for him. Lofs who aren't rockets fans should be banned, the haters who have no motive but to bash Lin also should be banned. We are supporting a damn good team, let's make it about the all the guys on the floor, watch and enjoy
It's self induced. People knowing they hate Lin go into a Lin thread starting crap. People that dislike tmac, people that think we are just fine and overachieving go into a fire mchale thread. How about just stop stirring the pot? This isn't candy land, this is the internet.
We are all so sad and our IQ's drop form reading some of the post (mine included); but that is the fun part of CF. I know what some of the posters will say before I read their posts. I feel as though I know them. I like some and dislike others - people are people. It is okay no all people are worth a read. Just enjoy what you like and let the rest be - (do you really think you can change the mind of someone who ignorantly post foolishness?). Just like in life smile and move on - it is not your job to fix the world.
