The 'Closed Threads' Thread Reply!

[Altoeen]

hello,
i have to write that i really like reading what you have to say.i read ALL the above and agree with it.i do ALOT of lurking,but that is because every question i have had i have been able to find the answer to by using the search function.i love this site, AND the way it is run, AND the way it is moderated.please keep up the great work that you have done with this site.

-A-

[Royn]

Hey all,

I don't post on here much, but i do check in at least every couple of days to see what's new. I love this site for the clean threads uncluttered by the 'i'm so brilliant, and know better than every one else' threads that you seem to find on the official forums. So many of these start with 'I've been playing since closed beta ...' etc., etc., but they don't actually have anything to constructive to add (usually just whining about something or the other, because it's not what they want), my usual reaction to this type of comment, is 'yeah, sure you have' and move on to something else.

Every question I've had about spells, gear, talents, and how to generally play a warlock well, have been answered in threads I have found by using the search function, and they have been answered in a concise and easily understood way. I recommend this site to all my friends who have started a Warlock alt, for the sheer wealth of information available, and suggested that a search will pull up the info they need.

I would far rather visit the Den than the official forums, because this site is well-moderated, and because Akasha is so strict, less populated by the generally idiotic posters on the official forums. I cringe every time someone posts a new topic that has been discussed a million times, or posts something filled with leet-speak. I have no issue with people whose first-language is not english, but it easy to tell the difference between someone who doesn't understand the finer points of the admittedly complicated english grammar, and someone who thinks it's fun/cool/acceptable to not bother to take the time to post in a clear and readable fashion.

So many are lazy and self-important - someone else could *never* have come up with the same question as they are asking. It takes very little time to use the search function, it's just a pity that most people are too lazy to think about what they want to ask and actually check if it has already been asked, or is already under discussion. I prefer that threads that are badly written or not formatted are closed, at least they don't crop up over and over again, or stay at the top of the boards for very long.

My hat off to you Akasha, and the rest of the Mods, for a well-run, friendly, helpful and informative website. Speaking for myself, I have appreciated having such a comprehensive database to turn to for any information I've needed, or suggestions on how to improve an aspect of my game. And more so one that is keep so well moderated. I know I couldn't do your jobs, I wouldn't have the patience to deal with those that are rude and self-important.

/Salute

[Nimpimpy]

I am sure this has all been covered elsewhere...

I vote this thread should be closed...


/ducks and runs




J/k, I feel your pain. I admin our guild forums and I sometimes wish I had a big red button that sent an electric shock to some users!

[snackereen]

A HUGE wall of text, rants, hints.... well almost everything covered there

RESPECT! You (once again) hit the nail on the head!

[mavric240]

I stayed away from the original thread but after reading the great response by Akasha I am adding my .02 cents.

As it has been said many times over, The Warlocks Den is the VERY best forum on anything Warlock.

When I first came to this site I asked some really dumb questions and said some really dumb things (Akasha most likely can vouch for that). I learned really quickly that what I needed to say would be heard and what I needed to ask would be answered but I had to conform to the community in which I wanted to belong. It is not much to ask to conduct yourself in a manner in which brings uniformity to this forum. That uniformity is what make this forum special and different then other forums. If you want to be a maverick move to Arizona and run for president(oops someone has already done that). Sorry for the bad humor I'm Irish and can't help myself. Seriously though if you do not want to conform and play by the rules then try out some other forums and see if you find a home there. For me this is my place and I enjoy coming back to it every day. Well ok thats more like .25 cents worth!

[Pernicious]

I know you probably get this a lot, Akasha, but whenever I read posts where you put up some of the email feedback you've gotten from people my jaw drops. I honestly can't believe that some people could be so cruel. The one you mentioned in that massive post of yours even speaks ill of your darling daughter. Once again you've impressed me with just how thick your skin can really be. I don't know too many people that could weather those attacks day after day.

[Umbralpuff]

Perface: long-ish, stream of consciousness ramble in-coming...and is no way meant to be a criticism of anyone..merely observations.

This may have already been hinted on (or outright stated directly) and I just missed it, but it seems that a lot of the trouble comes from the expectations people have.

There are lots of different kind of forums out there. Really I think what The Den is trying to be, in a large part, is a knowledge management system, not unlike a knowledge base that someone might use to find the solution to something. How can I reinstall my browser? What's a dll error?

Because The Den has a dual nature of forum where people go to discuss things as well as being a reference tool, sometimes a lot of stress boils up. Alot of people don't know how to build/search/maintain/properly contribute to a successful knowledge base; I'm not claiming to be perfect, merely making an observation. Sometimes, people see a forum and just want to ask a question and have it answered without having to work, and they think that expectation is perfectly reasonable because other forums do that.

It's true that there informal places in these forums to chit chat and goof around, but here's how I think of it. There's a difference between asking a random question at coffee house with a group friends and contributing to discussion in a Master's Seminar. If *I* were in that seminar I would expect that question be thought out and well phrased and substantive. I don't have such expectations while sipping my chai tea latte and wiping frosting from my cupcake off my shirt that I've inevitably stained. Should I be wiping or blotting? Anyway....

Just a few thoughts. The Den is fabulous, but because it is a forum, some people may expect to get away with a more casual communication styles and behaviors.

[Pernicious]

Originally Posted by mavric240

I learned really quickly that what I needed to say would be heard and what I needed to ask would be answered but I had to conform to the community in which I wanted to belong. It is not much to ask to conduct yourself in a manner in which brings uniformity to this forum.

I don't want to offend anybody by comparing people to animals (if thats the sort of thing to offend anyone), but if any of you have seen that show called the Dog Whisperer you'll get my meaning. What you said there, mavric, reminded me of what the show's host always talks about. The power of the pack. That is where a foreign dog that is misbehaving is put in a pen with a pack of dogs and quickly learns that to be part of the pack, he needs to live by the packs rules.

For some reason, when I read your post this came to mind.

[Theleb]

Originally Posted by Pernicious

I know you probably get this a lot, Akasha, but whenever I read posts where you put up some of the email feedback you've gotten from people my jaw drops. I honestly can't believe that some people could be so cruel. The one you mentioned in that massive post of yours even speaks ill of your darling daughter. Once again you've impressed me with just how thick your skin can really be. I don't know too many people that could weather those attacks day after day.

You've not seen all of it, believe me....

I think Umbralpuff hit on a good point - there are most definately places in the Den where you can goof about and post with a high degree of informality but for some reason the forums that need the most moderation are also the forums where doing so generates the most resentment.

I think that the other point is that the Den does indeed have a manifold purpose which is why it has a very strong sense of community - we run the gamut from Theorycrafting at one end, through to general questions in the middle, and informal places to post about anything at all at the other which leads people to believe that a informal code exists throughout....well a a formal code (The Format (capitalisation mine)) is needed and applied in some sections (hopefully the reasons as to why would be apparent) but not in others and ne're the twain shall meet.

Ultimately I strongly believe that the Den is a better place for being strict in those areas it needs to be, and more forgiving where possible.

[Akasha]

Originally Posted by Pernicious

I know you probably get this a lot, Akasha, but whenever I read posts where you put up some of the email feedback you've gotten from people my jaw drops. I honestly can't believe that some people could be so cruel. The one you mentioned in that massive post of yours even speaks ill of your darling daughter. Once again you've impressed me with just how thick your skin can really be. I don't know too many people that could weather those attacks day after day.

Hehe yes, the skin has grown quite thick over the years. Mostly I get slightly frustrated at realising I've just wasted 30 or so seconds reading a temper tantrum email, then I laugh and think how empty their lives must be. Or how small their pecker is, depending on my mood.