I just saw 0ccul7's post here:
Code:
http://www.wjunction.com/122-contests-giveaways/135373-%5Bcontest%5D-worldwidexs-giving-away-windows-vps-2-months.html
I'm not interested in the VPS that 0ccul7 is offering, because I already have one. But I do want to share my thoughts on how I think we can make WJunction a better place.
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I've personally noticed that their is way too much sarcasm, and trolling. The troll meme's or whatever they are called don't help, because it just encourages the trolling. Although it sometimes can come across as being funny... It can also make the other person feel unappreciated.
Whenever someone answers a question, you can pretty much bet on the next person that replies will say something that is totally uncalled for, or basically just call the person a complete idiot.
I've been on other forums, (Webmaster forums), I wont mention the names of them.
They all tend to have a VERY friendly community. You don't see any of these ":facepalm:" or these "[trollface]", whenever a question is asked... no matter how silly it might be, a lengthy answer is always provided along with other members sharing their own input. Although this does happen here, sometimes, and it's nice to see and read!
So, I guess all I'm saying is, there is way to much bitching / trolling / and sarcasm at WJunction... and as a community, it's not good. I certainly don't feel happy here anymore, lets put it that way.
Come to think of it, I don't really reply to posts as much as I used to, just because I can't be bothered with the :facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm: and the [trollface][trollface][trollface][trollface] that will come after my post - even if I am correct with what I am saying!
This is something that I feel really needs to be taken a look at,
but will it?? Probably not.
How could this be resolved "effectively?"
Perhaps start handing out bans? 7 day ban? 14 day ban?
If the culprits continue to bitch and troll and disrespect other members, start handing out longer bans, 3 weeks - 4 weeks or more, I think it would soon stop. If they decide to LEAVE, then so be it... The forum would be a better place without them.
You'll probably have your own opinions about this and feel that banning members shouldn't be the way to go. That's fine, I believe in free speech. Just not hate speech, it's just not needed. If I want to see hate speech and trolling I'll go to 4chan lol.
Yes, I know that I'm on the internet, and all this is to be expected. But I don't expect to experience that here. We're suppose to be a friendly community.
I'm sure that I'm not the only member here to have the same type of thoughts.
So yeah, that's pretty much it really. Just thought I'd share my thoughts.
You are a brave man Ashleyuk1984, and I admire your courage for posting this thread. On many sites, "Heavy Handed" Mods would have removed this thread and banned you.
Please allow me to explain something, no staff on any site that I know of, are paid. They moderate to help out in their spare time. It is a tough thankless job and when my staff help members (in many ways), about 99.9% of members bother to click their thanks posts or post a thanks. They feel very frustrated and let down by that.
But I do agree with you on some of your points in your post. Especially the sarcasm, trolling and insults. Also many members on this site attack, make fun of and swear at other members when they ask for help on here. They seem to take pleasure on doing that and the same ones never actually post anything helpful or positive. Many seem to use the net to take out on others, the bad things that are happening in their lives. They are twisted and bitter.
I know that I had to toughen up a lot when I started Modding years ago, because of the dreadful nasty comments I received sometimes......for nothing.
Since I started my own sites I had to toughen up even more, but I still always believe that site owners and their admins, where possible and their personal life/workload allows, should be active and at least one to make a presence every day. This is very much appreciated by members.
My site is covered by staff 24/7. I have great staff from around the world so that makes that coverage possible. I also paid for anti spam software to make their job easier.
They and I never tolerate the sort of behaviour you talk of. All members are protected and anyone that tries to insult, make fun of or degrade them, are out of the door permanently and their emails and IPs are "aggressively" blocked by me.
Swearing is NOT allowed, because once members realise that, most respect it and follow that and the other site rules, to ensure we have a happy pleasant atmosphere on my site. In fact some of WJ members have even posted comments like that on this site about my site. IMO when swearing is permitted, that sets the precedent for the site, and thus encourages other untoward behaviour
To ensure there is no swearing I bought anti swearing software and if any swear words are posted accidently, they are auto removed and replaced by xxxxxx.
This encourages members to post more, as they know they will not be abused, made fun of, or attacked and I think all sites should be run that way, if it were at all possible, then the net would be a much more pleasurable place. Unfortunately good staff are very hard to find and many sites dont have enough.
I do agree with many members' posts on here, asking why was "Joe Bloggs" banned? and it looks as if some are without good reason, I include myself in that. I was banned for a few days, and I still dont know why. But on some that I see that were banned, if you look at their previous posts sometimes you can figure out why, others not.....
Another important thing is that staff on any site should have a staff area and staff only chat, so they can discuss what actions, or any, they may want to take, with other staff, so all are informed about what goes on and troublesome members. I also have a Warnings/Bans sub section in the staff area, so staff can warn other of their actions on certain members.
That does not happen on one site I used to post on, I received instructions by pm from one staff member on something I was not doing correctly, according to her/him. I didnt think their instructions were correct, but followed them as I try to respect staff on all sites.
However when I started to post in the way asked, I was pmed by
another member of staff on the same site, asking me to post another way...... the way I had originally posted......go figure. I gave up and just stopped posting on there.
I also agree on what some other members of WJ have posted on this thread, that it is not the same as it used to be when this site first started, and they had stopped coming on here and posting like they used to because of the changes. I used to belong to this site years ago, but when I started my first site, I wanted to come back and check how it was doing, but I forgot my password and unfortunately no longer had the email addy I first registered on here with, so couldnt receive a new password by clicking on that option, and I had to start again.
So I did notice the changes those members talked about. But changes are inevitable, as sites grow as this one has and the voluntary staff cannot be blamed for all the things that go wrong. Its just impossible to watch and check everything, especially on a site as large as WJ.
As I said before, Modding is a tough thankless job and staff do not get paid. However only the Elite Mods on my site can Ban and they usually have a very good reason to ban. On this site it seems to be done for wrong or very little things. Infractions should be used more often, instead of so many Bans. That damages this sites' reputation.
Thanks for the thread, its very interesting and a good talking point.
Apologises for my long post,,,,, gee I should write a book!!!! :sun:
Just to add post 2 in that link you provided is not nice.....and action should be taken. He may have wanted it to look like a joke, but I certainly didnt appreciate it.
"You can start by removing OverJaculation from the mod team.
JK."
OverJaculation is a good patient helpful Mod with a good sense of humour and I dont think he should be disrespected in that way. JMO
I tell you mate better step down and enjoy with your family
