Silkroad Online Forums

Alright guys. Lately I've been locking topics that are posted in the wrong section and the effect so far has been positive (less people posting in the wrong section), but I think it has a negative effect (newcomers are afraid of posting). I want your opinion: Should I take the equal approach where all topics are moved or locked regardless of the poster, or should I take the preferential approach where I take it easy on new posters. What would you guys do?

someone with a small post count or a recent join date?

Doesn't matter if someone's new or not, the same rules apply to all. Should they want to not get treated that way by any mod, they'd better read the sticky's.

move them but don't leave a link to the topic in GD (the "moved" tag).

give the topic starter a PM that his/her topic is moved to another section and perhaps a warning.

First of all, I am guilty of this as well, I've done this a couple of times. In my opinion, I think they should rename that section of "Questions Answers" to something like SRO Questions and Answers. Or easily SEEN as branched off from the General Discussion. You have to see it from the new posters perspective on their "mistake." Right off the bat, they see General Discussion section, and then think, "Oh this is a SRO site...this is GD, so lemme post a skill question."

EDIT: Was referring to the quick links on the left side. So edited this information.

To the so-called "veterans" of this site, it may seem common sense, but to the newbies it isn't. In addition, it's not easily distinguished or seen, at least in my opinion. Anyways, just suggest rename or easily distinguish it for the newbies. Heck, maybe this discussion should be under "Site Discussion."

EDIT: Reread a few posts, yea, if you have a persistent poster that doesn't learn, then spank him via locking thread, banning 1 hour or a day, etc.

I feel for now maybe just have them moved if they're obviously new and given a friendly explanation. A so-called "veteran" should obviously be a lock. A persistent "wrong section" poster should be spanked.

EDIT: Damn, need to learn to reread the posts. Lol. Maybe, combine character and skills with Questions Answers.

I say: "Move them"
Locking them just makes the people make the topic again, leading to replies like: "wasn't this posted before" or " this again.." OR scaring them away & they won't get an answer to their question.
Also a lot of people go: "in before the lock" with the current rules...
They should get a warning too; a lot of the newer people think -> high postcount = experienced player
Locking also "scares" the newer people.
If someone is posting too often in the wrong section, U should start giving warnings.

OW: maybe the fact that there is no moderator assigned for "characters & skills" on the front page, makes people think that it is pretty dead; leading to post their questions in GD.
Also no moderation in "The MarketPlace" & "Other sro versions"
And just U (Barotix) in questions & answers.

Maybe time to look for some new moderators?

I think you should move the topics to the proper section

Good input.

Yeah I agree with Razorhead.

But definitely don't lock threads of first time posters in GD just because their in the wrong section. Move it to the correct section so *like some people said before* the link to the topic is still in the Gd for a lil bit *it's normally not on the 1st page within 1 day of it's move*

move the topic but then send them a message regarding why you moved it

An excellent idea.

+10101010
Why the hell you lock them? Whats the point can you explain? If someone posted wrong and you lock, how can ge find out what he wanted, by making another thread?

PM's should be handed out to users with less than 50 posts who post in the wrong sections. For those specific low-post-count users, topics moved, not locked, shadow topic left in place.

For older members, zero tolerance.

Also, assign a moderator for Characters&Skills.

I like this one.

... baro just deleted my threads

i think i asked very valid questions. And for it ahh be discussed in a general way

Don't lock them, it will cause just more threads or the new people will get scared. In my forum (no, i don't wanan compare it with this one but still) we move every thread posted in GD which belongs to another section. And when someone new made the topic - PM so he would learn. Yeah many people are annoying, but when you warn them once, most likely they will learn from their mistake. If they don't learn - nothing you can do, some people are just dumb....

Look here questions are allowed here, youll have to change this first.

use a warning system

example
if a user post a new topic in the wrong section he gets only a warning

if do it for the 2nd time he won't be able to post for like 3~7 days

3rd time he can't post new topics only reply to them

Of course this problem won't exist in the 1st place if new comers read the sticky & the rules before they post .

[/quote]

And i have the feeling that the noobs ask the same question over and over again "pure str, pure int, what build, what force to pick...". Is there anyway to force them to read all the guides and all general questions and answers?

And u could make sub forums for CS section:

• Chinese
  
  • Bicheon force
  • Heuksal force
  • Pacheon force
• Euro
  
  • Tanker
  • Caster
  • Buffer

I feel like brenton, the heading of the GD should be changed in something like "for specific questions about builds and skills please look in the guides tutorials or post in the adequate section"

I agree it's a good idea

I'd say just move the topic to the right section, but don't have a link to that topic in the original "wrong" section. I'm not even sure a "(moved)" tag is necessary for the topic when it is shown in the proper section.

If I'm in GD looking for a thread I posted (which was moved) I could just go to "view your posts" to find the thread and realize it is in a new section. If a QA thread is moved to the QA section, and I'm in QA, do I really need to know that one of the threads in the list was "moved" from some other section?

A mod can just post a reply in the thread when moving it stating why it is being moved. The topic starter won't be 'scared' away by a locked thread, and can still get the question answered.



I'm not sure what the point is of a shadow topic remaining in the wrong section. Effecively, the topic has not been moved if there is still a link to it. It will still get the same views as if it wasn't moved.



Well mistakes can be made, even for older members. Sometimes I don't remember what section I'm in, unless I scroll to the top or bottom to see the section title. This is especially true if I get an email from silkroadforums stating that a reply was posted to a topic I started or one that I posted in. I just click the link, it jumps to the last spot I read, and I don't see the section name.

It depends on what the post is saying.

For people who are posting SRO related questions, its a bit harsh to put them in QA. Personally i believe QA shouldn't exist and it should be molded into GD. In the end they both are discussing "not topic related" threads.

People who simply post market price checks or Skill discussions in GD should be move. A clear and set board exists for that, no mercy for people who intentionally abuse it.

Theres a fine line between whats allowed and not. Given the current circumstances i think your doing a good job. Though i still believe in my QA deletion idea.

Well, tbh, mods shouldn't even have to come close to doing this. I don't get why people can't read the sections pane on the right. It's obvious, no incredibly hard english words, and there for a reason.

thanks for asking for input

both have its good and bad points
i would go for letting the new posters be more careful to post
so keep doing what you have been doing
thanks for the good work

I agree, mods shouldn't have to go out of their way to send out explanations to users of why their thread was moved, or even have to decide when moving/not moving is appropriate. If it were me, I'd say just move the thread in question to the appropriate section, no "ghost" link in the original section. If someone wants to know why it was moved, I'm sure they'd ask.

Sure, if a user is constantly posting to the wrong section, they should be handled appropriately, but for the average wrong-section-thread, I think a simple move would be enough.