inside you will find the most in depth dissertation of clutchfansology ever conducted

Sure, but you can't deny that - for the most part - contributing members make better posts than rookies. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule, but that doesn't mean that overall it's not valid.

I would love the GARM if I could just 'turn off' all rookie posts/threads.

 

Hmm. Maybe we should just do a trial run where only contributing members could post?

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I like it.

I'd bet this site would get a nice bump in tipjar money also.

 

If I could plan things out and make some changes, I'd do the following:

PLAN A
1) Elite Shmelite, I'm all for a second forum - a GARM Pro if you will. It can be created with the intent of focusing on ANALYSIS mainly, while the regular GARM focuses more on NEWS. This would solve the problem of where to put certain threads.

2) I agree with someone's sentiments that the more hardcore and high-quality posters wouldn't mind paying a bit for something better. Qualifications for GARM PRO - $4 gets you in and the ability to post. $2 gets you in only (you can only view threads). This not only gives you revenue, but also the quality discussion you're looking for. Pro members could have a "P" next to their username.

OR

Plan B
Current GARM stays, but only contributing members can post. Anyone can view.

 

I really like this idea from the standpoint of limiting the field a bit. I think contributing members could function as the logical cutoff point.

With some not-too-difficult SQL, you could make is so that any thread created in the "new forum" also shows up in the GARM, and you could even make is so that regular GARM members could post responses, etc. to the thread. However, in the "new forum", only the posts by contributing members would show up.

Something like this for the new forum (assuming old-school mysql syntax and that contributing members are usertype 2):
select * from posts p, users u where p.user_id = u.user_id and u.usertype = 2

And this for the GARM: (no need to filter posts)
select * from posts


This is an oversimplification, but it could be done without too much headache. Also, to signify that the thread was created in the new form, you could add some kind of icon next to the thread in the GARM to set it apart a little bit. (maybe your little red basketball or something)

Those are my brainstorming thoughts.

 

I think creating an elite area won't work.......essentially you will get copy cat threads in the GARM.

I would work on what the main problem is....making the GARM better.....if that means more moderation, ok, or if it means less posting privlidges...ok....

The issue is the GARM....that is what everyone thinks needs fixing......so let's concentrate on the problem and fix that.....

However take into consideration that anything that splits the community, or causes people to leave hurts the revenue generation of the site overall.

I am making an assumption Clutch, so feel free to correct me if wrong, but advertisers usually pay on a per unique click percentage, like $8 for every 1000 unique hits to the website.

So, if you somehow create a situation where people come here less, you are actually hurting the revenue of the site.....and that would not be good.

IMHO, you fix the GARM....maybe that is a seperate SECTION of the GARM..but still a part of it....I don't know.....

EDIT...I like this a lot.....

But what you could also do is allow the thread starter to ELEVATE selected comments into his thread from the regular GARM, sort of an approval rate for quality posts....

DD

 

Perhaps we should do a Beta version of this in the NBA Dish? My thoughts are most of the GARM folks don't venture in there. Have some

Code:

 word in front of threads discussing Rox in that forum.

 

Clutch, do you close and open registration at some points of the season? The biggest problem is obviously the amount of rookies there are.

SpursReport - around 26,000 members
LakersGround - around 23,000 members
ClutchFans - around 33,000 members...

Also, I like DarkHorse's idea.

 

Agreeable solution.


<hr>

If we get more particpation by <i>Veterans</i> in Rockets threads, it would likely increase traffic rather than decrease it. By doing some type of split -- schism, it would allow people to be where they belong. That is life and the sun will come up tomorrow for those relegated to the regular GARM.

The suggestions being proposed would let people filter themselves out. They would know why they aren't allowed to post in the other GARM and they would know what it would take to get admitted back in. They would be in charge of their own destiny.


<hr>

I dislike the tangential references to the past and his style is not to my taste.
Then again, my style is probably not to his taste either.

I named four people earlier in this thread that most would agree are congenial and respected. My name wasn't on that list because......

<i>paraphrasing DoD from years ago</i><b>

"If <i>Mango</i> was a <i>Moderator</i>, there wouldn't be anybody left."</b>

 

i'm still kinda opposed but DarkHorse's proposal is pretty good. if it improves the quality of GARM without disrupting it's natural growth than maybe it's worth a try.

 

As I've told you before, you and Behad were a major reason why I lurked for years. I would never argue with that quote!

 

I think a variation of this would be a great idea. Clutch could make so that only 20, 30, 40 (whatever) posters that he identifies as high quality could rate threads in the GARM. If we're able to sort threads by stars (haven't checked to see if this is currently possible), even better. This seems like a good way to reward good posts, make it easy to id good threads, without limiting total # of people posting or creating a lot of extra work for Clutch and the crew.

 

Great idea,
the rating system is stupid on the GARM.
Clutch put a thread with what Kobe said about Artest.
ie.. Informational thread, not opinion thread

the idiots started rating his thread low

1. there shouldn't be a rating on informational threads
2. what freaking idiots rate Clutch's threads low

 

obviously, there are no absolutes, but by having each member set their own filters as to who (in terms of age and/or tenure) they are willing to view posts from based on the filters, it allows each member to customize their own experience.

theoretically, many complaints about quality of posts would go down because it's entirely up to each member as to who (demographically) they are willing to view posts/threads from.

ah, that brings up another filter option, geographic location.

 

dude,
you don't have to read my threads if you don't like them.
That's why people who don't like Tupac go for the Vanilla Ice or Soulja Boy CDs.

Plus there's no such thing as 99er on 99er crime.
If I belong in the D league, then somebody has to send you to the pop-a-shot try outs at Dave and Busters

sucka!

 

My only issue with this is that it doesn't necessarily solve the problem of isolating good threads. For example, just about every thread in the GARM will eventually gravitate toward crap/chaos no matter how it starts - it's just the way of things in a large forum. This means anything rated highly will, within a couple of days, be full of 1-liners and crappy responses. A rating system doesn't solve the inherent problem which is the quality of the posts in the thread and trying to dig through each thread in an attempt to find something that makes you think.

 

Eggzackly.

 

Then Clutch Crew should sticky the good threads, not just the breaking news or post game analysis

Also it would be cool to have a "Post of the day" so we can recognize whomever made a decent post