Regarding new members

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Ok, I've seen many, many new members, particularly from the months of November and December, come on to the forums, and do not contribute at all, instead spam. I've seen at least half these guys get banned because they have no common sense. The more we try to make them understand, the less they comprehend. They just don't get the major point. It's like they have no brain function, and we have to tell them the rules constantly.

 

Which is why I suggest something. I suggest to make it mandatory to read the rules. I believe in this way, the new members will gain a better understanding of what not to do, and how to contribute to the forums.

 

Now I know there are troll/spam members only here to spam, but there are real new members who want to join the forums. I sure this is the most best way to get them to understand what this forum is about.

 

I believe that this action will be for the benefit of the GTAForums community.

 

 

 

Thanks for taking time to read this.

Edited December 22, 2006 by Gman91

[Justin]

It won't work.

 

As with any licence/terms of agreement/service/whatnot that pop up when installing programs, registering at other online boards, and just generally using computers and the Internet, 99% of users will simply tick the necessary box or scroll down to the bottom of the fifty page screen and hit 'agree'.

 

While I think it's a good idea otherwise, I think a slap with the warn stick if a member gets out of line is a more effective (albeit more time consuming) one. We're going to get troublesome members regardless, and you're exactly right in that most of the time the issue is common sense - not whether or not they have read the forum rules.

[SWEETSAPRIK]

It's not that it's a bad idea, but it's been suggested before and rejected.

 

Like Fuzzy said, even if you force people to get a popup or something they'll just click past it, or ignore it. A good example is the Name Change Request Topic. Look how many people don't bother to see if the name they want is even taken, and how many others ask for complete changes. Just on the first page you have a few people that ignored the pop-up, and didn't read (or understand) the first post.

 

While there might be a few people that break a rule(s) because they're unaware of it, I think the majority of people break rules because they're retarded, jackasses, or retarded jackasses. People like that could have the rules stapled to their forehead and still would not follow them.

[Edmachine]

It 100% won't work. Never. I always scroll down to the bottom of the page, like in installations, ect. But a better suggestion: a new member for 1 week to 1 month requires a moderator, to check his posts before they are posted.

[jarjar]

I have seen in some software packages a feature where the user can't click "I Agree" until they have scrolled to the bottom of the textbox message. Whether this would work or be possible in PHP for a forum, I don't know. And at the end of the day it can still be misused.

[Ben]

But a better suggestion: a new member for 1 week to 1 month requires a moderator, to check his posts before they are posted.

No. Not going to work either. I know because we have topic moderation turned on in the LC forum where I'm a led-by - this basically means that all new topics must be approved by a led-by before they appear in the forum (the idea is to cut down on useless topics). However, the amount of time it would take to do this on a large scale (taking into consideration the number of new members we get each day, and the number of posts they make) simply makes the idea impossible. Whilst theoretically it's good, practically it'll never happen.

 

 

I have seen in some software packages a feature where the user can't click "I Agree" until they have scrolled to the bottom of the textbox message. Whether this would work or be possible in PHP for a forum, I don't know. And at the end of the day it can still be misused.

Not a bad idea, but to make it more effective, it'd have to be timed. Work out how long it'd take the average user to read the rules topic - it shouldn't be too long - and then add some sort of command that doesn't allow the user to click to on the "I Agree" button until the time has passed. Whilst it can still be abused, I know that I'd be more likely to read the rules simply to pass the time. I can't speak for anyone else though.

 

The downside is potential strain on the server (as well as having someone code it in in the first place). I've seen similar things before so I'm inclined to believe it's possible. Thoughts?

[Justin]

I have seen in some software packages a feature where the user can't click "I Agree" until they have scrolled to the bottom of the textbox message. Whether this would work or be possible in PHP for a forum, I don't know. And at the end of the day it can still be misused.

Not a bad idea, but to make it more effective, it'd have to be timed. Work out how long it'd take the average user to read the rules topic - it shouldn't be too long - and then add some sort of command that doesn't allow the user to click to on the "I Agree" button until the time has passed. Whilst it can still be abused, I know that I'd be more likely to read the rules simply to pass the time. I can't speak for anyone else though.

 

The downside is potential strain on the server (as well as having someone code it in in the first place). I've seen similar things before so I'm inclined to believe it's possible. Thoughts?

I'd think the main thing this would achieve would be a severe reduction in new registrations. If I was required to sit for five minutes before finalising my registration, I know I'd think "to Hell with it" and go find some other GTA-related forum.

 

For mine, the problem we're discussing is far too minor for the elaborate solutions being suggested.

[jarjar]

Yeah, I agree, timing is a bad idea, but at the same time, I know myself I wouldn't sit through a 5 minute long registration. Hell, I hate even having to just fill out your desired username, password and e-mail. When you are in a hurry to get help with something, the last thing on your mind it waiting 5 minutes to read through the rules. That in itself is a problem, but once again, normal human actions too. Everyones in a rush these days.

 

 

For mine, the problem we're discussing is far too minor for the elaborate solutions being suggested.

 

Yes, but as you, yourself know, being a led-by yourself, it can amount to a great deal of problems in time. There does need to be some kind of solution, but finding the right one is not easy, and not really something that should be put first at the moment. There many other things needing fixing/finishing on the GTANetwork currently, and they should be put first.

[Waddy]

Aslong as the rules have been shown to the new member, then there isnt a problem in ridding them from the forums.

I have suggested it before that a new set of standard GTAF rules are re written and inserted to the welcome email after registering.

There then can be no excuse at all for people getting banned or warned.

 

My personal opinion is the same as Sweets.

 

 

While there might be a few people that break a rule(s) because they're unaware of it, I think the majority of people break rules because they're retarded, jackasses, or retarded jackasses. People like that could have the rules stapled to their forehead and still would not follow them.

 

 

[Jevon]

The better option would be to have a series of questions that are answered in the rules which users HAVE to answer correctly before their registration is complete. imho.

[Kung_fu_fighting]

won't work people just scroll down and press the accept button just like everything else .

 

[anuj]

It 100% won't work. Never. I always scroll down to the bottom of the page, like in installations, ect. But a better suggestion: a new member for 1 week to 1 month requires a moderator, to check his posts before they are posted.

f*ck you, I'm not wading through 10000 pages of bullsh*t just to let joeblow123 post. I'll just ban him when he starts f*cking up.

 

 

The better option would be to have a series of questions that are answered in the rules which users HAVE to answer correctly before their registration is complete. imho.

 

I've seen this in use before. I like that idea much better.

[skatingfreak666]

The better option would be to have a series of questions that are answered in the rules which users HAVE to answer correctly before their registration is complete. imho.

but they could keep guessing the answer of each question. or you could just put a 10 minute waiting system if they get the question wrong more than 3 times.

[jarjar]

The better option would be to have a series of questions that are answered in the rules which users HAVE to answer correctly before their registration is complete. imho.

That could work, would add fun to it, so it wouldn't be something they would walk away from. But still, may have that effect on some people that they don't wanna waste there time filling these out. But I have seen it in use in other places, and in my opinion, it would work.

[Edmachine]

It 100% won't work. Never. I always scroll down to the bottom of the page, like in installations, ect. But a better suggestion: a new member for 1 week to 1 month requires a moderator, to check his posts before they are posted.

f*ck you, I'm not wading through 10000 pages of bullsh*t just to let joeblow123 post. I'll just ban him when he starts f*cking up.

...

How dare you??? WHY YOU INSULT ME???

[Ben]

I agree that it wasn't the best way he could've said it, but I think his reaction wasn't much different to what mine was - I just chose my words more carefully .

 

I do find his response a bit ironic though, given some of the things I've seen, especially recently .

[anuj]

 

It 100% won't work. Never. I always scroll down to the bottom of the page, like in installations, ect. But a better suggestion: a new member for 1 week to 1 month requires a moderator, to check his posts before they are posted.

f*ck you, I'm not wading through 10000 pages of bullsh*t just to let joeblow123 post. I'll just ban him when he starts f*cking up.

...

How dare you??? WHY YOU INSULT ME???

I don't get paid to be here. You expect me to do 30 times as much work just so your experience is slightly better? I think I got it right the first time.

 

Ben:

 

1) How was my post ironic?

2) My words were chosen very carefully. They convey how I feel (anger) in the fewest words possible (two).

[Edmachine]

It 100% won't work. Never. I always scroll down to the bottom of the page, like in installations, ect. But a better suggestion: a new member for 1 week to 1 month requires a moderator, to check his posts before they are posted.

f*ck you, I'm not wading through 10000 pages of bullsh*t just to let joeblow123 post. I'll just ban him when he starts f*cking up.

...

How dare you??? WHY YOU INSULT ME???

I don't get paid to be here. You expect me to do 30 times as much work just so your experience is slightly better? I think I got it right the first time.

...

FFS, You're NOT the ONLY moderator here!!! Of course you don't get paid! There are many moderators/admins here, so others could do the job while your are away. THINK!!!

[Datalord]

I wouldn't, I move a topic and the damn server 500's

 

[Canoxa]

I wouldn't, I move a topic and the damn server 500's

 

There, you got your answer, Ed. The forums are slightly better, but the moderation controls apparently still muck up.

[GTA_Loco]

What if GTAF just create a sort of promotion level on its members? For example, if one is a newbie, he can post only so much each day, for a certain period of time let's say, 2 to 3 mos; if he/she showed exemplary perfomance he/she can then be promoted to the next level of ranking where his/her posting privileges is increased. If he/she is an immediate noob, he/she can get banned in whatever way deemed by a mod as per the regular method currently implemented, but preferably permanently right away. Maybe the limited daily posting privilege can also help minimize spamming in a way, and can sort of filter the annoying posters or potentially annoying posters.

 

This maybe quite restrictive but it's a lesser evil than having to deal with stupid thrash being regularly thrown at the forum.

 

There could also be a paid membership with extra privileges, but on a voluntary basis of some sort. Of course paying members must also be subjected nonetheless to the forum rules. Paid members can be at least guaranteed not to f*ck up the forum, although this may not necessarily be the case. The proceeds can be allocated as remunerations for the hardworking and dedicated led-bys and mods or staff members. I think that's just a small price to pay to recognize those guys who do what they do in the forum just for their sheer dedication.

 

 

[joeblow123]

It 100% won't work. Never. I always scroll down to the bottom of the page, like in installations, ect. But a better suggestion: a new member for 1 week to 1 month requires a moderator, to check his posts before they are posted.

f*ck you, I'm not wading through 10000 pages of bullsh*t just to let joeblow123 post. I'll just ban him when he starts f*cking up.

 

man why the hate?

[anuj]

It 100% won't work. Never. I always scroll down to the bottom of the page, like in installations, ect. But a better suggestion: a new member for 1 week to 1 month requires a moderator, to check his posts before they are posted.

f*ck you, I'm not wading through 10000 pages of bullsh*t just to let joeblow123 post. I'll just ban him when he starts f*cking up.

...

How dare you??? WHY YOU INSULT ME???

I don't get paid to be here. You expect me to do 30 times as much work just so your experience is slightly better? I think I got it right the first time.

...

FFS, You're NOT the ONLY moderator here!!! Of course you don't get paid! There are many moderators/admins here, so others could do the job while your are away. THINK!!!

And I'm 100% sure that nobody else would want to take on an increased workload. THINK!!!

 

We have some 134000 members. We've been open for five years. That amounts to 73 members a day, not including daylight savings and hannukah. 73 members. A DAY. I can't bin a topic without the forums dying. You want me to check out if 73 members are posting according to the rules? Considering 25% of those who register post, and we still got 18 people who are under previewed posting.

 

Heh. Yeah, f*cking right.

 

joeblow123: It's nothing personal, it's just that joeblow1 - joeblow122 were really dicks.