I suggested the Serious Forum a few weeks ago in this thread: Why all the hostility on the BBS? It might appear as Elitist to have some type of Doorkeeper system, but I can't think of another method at the moment. I tend to put some thought, time and effort into my posts and have extreme difficulty tolerating either garbage or nonexistent responses from the person(s) that I am posting against. I used to post quite frequently in the GARM in the past when the board was smaller (membership) because I was more apt to get a response and a quality one at that. You have the proverbial Big Stick available and people tend to respect that. The rest of us lack that Big Stick and don't get the same respect. Well, I have always thought that the user system of accountability wasn't strong enough even years ago, but I have had somewhat higher expectations than most people when it comes to posting on this Message Board. Forum Police
definitely avoid it...i started checking it again recently--about once a week. (before that, it was probably once every 2 months for the last 2 years)
I really don't think there is anything that you could/should do. Message boards that are too rigid usually drive away quality posters. I just think it's something that we have to deal with (hence the complaining ) I just wish that a lot of newer members wouldn't start a thread everytime they think a random thought. Most of those threads belong as posts in other complaining threads. It would be like me starting another thread complaining about GARM in the hangout thread but wording it differently. It's like a lot of newer members think they have to start threads all the time when really there are threads already talking about the subjects that they could just post in instead. Regardless, GARM, even in it's present state, is still the best sports MB that I have ever seen. Props
I think it's funny how everyone complains about how great the GARM used to be, yet I see that exact degeneration in the Hangout. It used to be a fun forum, now it's just a bunch of douchebags trying to one-up each other. At least when someone's an ******* in the GARM, you can excuse it for them being passionate about the team... GARM ftw!1
Clutch, I think a user reputation system would be a good idea. There are so many members here that I think it wouldn't be a bad idea where you have to be *invited* to post in the GARM. The Sons of Sam Horn, which was (and I guess still is) the premier message board for the Boston Red Sox required that and they had very strict guidelines on who could post and what was expected from each poster. If you failed to live up to those expectations, you lost your right to post there - it was that simple. Granted, that would make a lot more work on your end, but it is reaching a point where there are way too many members. And I can honestly say that if 80% of the rookies and all of the YOFs left, people (including me) would be singing a different tune about the GARM. I think with those posters that are known YOFs, they need to be on a shorter leash than most.
Redundancy and general idiocy of some threads just drive me crazy, used to read the GARM all the time now I just glance at it and see if there are any news links or things of that sorts.
it is pretty bad. But it always is when things are bad. It is a little interesting to see where some of the people who use to blame JVG for everthing are turning their attention now. I don't like what i've seen but i'm not going to get too upset about it unless it carries over into the middle of january. in general though it is not too far away from D&D. The same few people reciting the same trite arguments and never willing to even consider or have a open and honest conversation is someone has the slightest difference of opinion.
I remember I suggested a "venting" forum once. Along with vid/audio forum, news forum, etc. I know I spend more time here now than ever. GARM is tough to read through all the whining. You got somethin to cmplain about, all good, type it out. If all you have to say is "X sucks" you are adding SOOO much to the convo...
Wow! Now I know where all the level-headed people went! I used to lurk around the GARM for a long time before I eventually registered. But lurking in the Hangout was where I'd be guaranteed a good laugh. I've been posting more in the GARM lately, but I think I've given up. It's intolerable. There are a few good posters, but most of it is just: "Trade X, Fire X, so and so sucks, TMac is a pansy/has no heart, etc.," as you guys are well aware of course. I think it's a little sad that I've only been posting since last February, and I've already reached this stage. I would definitely favor a repuatation system.
I will be honest, there are a lot of things here in the Hangout I didn't quite understand Moes vs Manny was one of them, though I must admit it was humorous. As for the GARM, I have liberally used my ignore button on people who post the same things over and over again as well as those who post knee jerk reactions. It makes reading a lot simpler. What could you do about it... Well I would suggest those of you that avoid the GARM take a more active approach in there. Start ignoring people yourself and post good quality debate. if someone flames you.. they go on ignore too. How does the saying go, if you create a winning atmosphere winning will happen? I can honestly say that there is a great core group of people here at CF and that's what makes it special. To ignore the thing that brings us together takes away from that. The thing about people posting new threads that are repetitive, well that just means even if they had a couple of good posts in other peoples threads they aren't ready for the responsibility of starting their own. I know that sounds harsh, but its true. I always hesitate before starting a new thread and look around to see if anyone else has posted the information or opinion that I am looking to talk about. If a person can't bring themselves to do that in the heat of a really crappy loss or the frustration over rafer missing another floater then they don't necessarily deserve the right to start a new thread. Anyway, I have been checking out the hangout more in the past few months since I started chatting with people here, but the staple for me is still the GARM.
GARM is still......by far....the best sports message board i've ever seen. It can be painful to see sometimes (as can the Rockets) but....even at its worst, it's always readable. Ever try reading ESPN boards? Fox Sports? Back in the day...an annoying post would be immediately called out in a Behadian way...text message spelling would be called out...posters were almost shamed into putting out quality posts...and those without a whole lot to contribute (like me) would read without the need to pad post counts. Doesn't seem to happen so much now. Although that may just be the sheer volume of posts. And my nostalgia for guys who, for whatever reason, have moved on with their lives. But I still read. Almost every day. And there's usually some pretty good stuff in there. Merging threads. Locking the truly stupid or proven false. And the temp suspensions that I suspect go on behind the scenes seems to work OK. Keep up the good work. It's amazing to me that clutch -- and the rest of the clutch crew -- can maintain a content full site that is easier to navigate and read -- with better info -- as a hobby -- then most of the full time commercial sites.
I can't tell you how many times I start to type a response to something and I just stop myself. It's just not worth getting in to it with some people in there. You just want to tell them to STFU, but the whole "if you don't have something nice to say..." takes over. I try to read the GARM daily, but almost never post in there anymore. Mostly because I rarely have anything nice to say about some of the posters in there. Though, I have twice today because a couple just deserved it.
