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A Groundspeak SOAPBOX forum


Snoogans

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This thread belongs in the geocaching.com forum, BUT I would like to appeal to the mods to leave it in the general forum until 2/4/08. Let's give it a week. MORE folks will see it here.

 

Hookay,

 

On my local forum (hgcs.org) we have a SOAPBOX section that is not immediately visible to casual visitors. I think you need to have 25 posts before you can see it. Of course you HAVE to be logged in.

 

There are soooo many angsty soapbox type threads posted in this particular forum that I think it's time for a sub-forum to send them all to.

 

Why? :(:D So casual visitors to this forum can seek information without having to sift though all the complaint/entitlement threads that are posted ad nauseum. They are a catagory unto themselves and they need a place of their own out of sight from casual visitors.

 

Please post your thoughts on this idea whether for or against. :D

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Here's an idea - don't like the thread, don't read it.

 

If that logic is good enough for cache hunting (as it is repeatedly mentioned), why isn't it sufficient for forum threads? Just because it annoys you?

Why must the casual viewer be "protected" from it?

 

In fairness, part of the problem is that more times than not regular threads will get re-routed into about one of a handful recurring topics.

Edited by egami
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The entire forum is a soapbox. As presented it sounds a lot more like a penalty box.

 

Absolutely not. Heated issues are just as valid as those of the garden variety.

 

Our local forum employs the logic that a casual visitor doesn't need to see such issues. The 25 post participation rule ensures that someone doesn't create a sock puppet just to cause drama. It works for my local forum.

 

Folks post original threads there. It's not a penalty box.

Edited by Snoogans
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I'm with snoogans on this one.

 

There is a pinned thread in the TB forums specifically for people who want to rant about their TBs disappearing.

Why not a general soapbox forum to help clean up the rest of the forums?

 

If there was a place for mods to shovel angst/whine/rant/vent threads that have very little to do with the forum topic they are in, what would be left would make the forums generally higher quality.

 

IMHO :(

 

edit to add:

I don't think it is a penalty box, a penalty is a locked thread. This is just organization :D

Edited by scavok
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Other than the fact that I thought soapbox and forum was synonymous, you could put sub-cats in (preferably) the off-topic area of recurring themes:

 

-I hate micros

-I hate puzzles

-I hate LPCs

-I hate hiking

-I hate Ammo-spew

-I don't like caches that are brown

-Why can't I log caches I have not found

-Caches should not have to be approved

-Bring back virtuals

-Need/don't need PMC's

-I need 17000 caches per PQ

-I need to know about caches have been archived for the past 5 years

 

I think that about covers it.

Edited by baloo&bd
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Why must the casual viewer be "protected" from it?

 

There's a certain logic to it that might appeal to the owners and operators of his site.

 

This thread is merely a suggestion of what works for my local forum.

 

Sorta like cleaning up before company arrives. :(

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Other than the fact that I thought soapbox and forum was synonymous, you could put sub-cats in (preferably) the off-topic area of recurring themes:

 

-I hate micros

-I hate puzzles

-I hate LPCs

-I hate hiking

-I hate Ammo-spew

-I don't like caches that are brown

-Why can't I log caches I have not found

-Caches should not have to be approved

-Bring back virtuals

-Need/don't need PMC's

-I need 17000 caches per PQ

-I need to know about caches have been archived for the past 5 years

 

I think that about covers it.

Heck, if all those topics went away, the rest of the forums would be empty.

 

<cue tumbleweeds>

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Here's an idea - don't like the thread, don't read it.

 

If that logic is good enough for cache hunting (as it is repeatedly mentioned), why isn't it sufficient for forum threads? Just because it annoys you?

Why must the casual viewer be "protected" from it?

 

However, unlike cache listings, I've so far been unable to locate the "Ignore Thread" button that would eliminate a thread from continually showing up on my topics listing. :(

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Our local forum employs the logic that a casual visitor doesn't need to see such issues. The 25 post participation rule ensures that someone doesn't create a sock puppet just to cause drama. It works for my local forum.
I think that noobs should still be able to see these threads, just not post to them.
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Other than the fact that I thought soapbox and forum was synonymous, you could put sub-cats in (preferably) the off-topic area of recurring themes:

 

-I hate micros

-I hate puzzles

-I hate LPCs

-I hate hiking

-I hate Ammo-spew

-I don't like caches that are brown

-Why can't I log caches I have not found

-Caches should not have to be approved

-Bring back virtuals

-Need/don't need PMC's

-I need 17000 caches per PQ

-I need to know about caches have been archived for the past 5 years

 

I think that about covers it.

Hahahaha. I truly did chuckle out loud when I got to the one about brown caches. :(

As a relative newcomer to this board, I've gotta say that I'm somewhat baffled by the threads about micros and the need for in excess of 2500 caches per day via PQ's.

But I really don't think that newcomers need to be insulated from it. Anyone with the least bit of internet savvy knows that these kinds of arguments take place everywhere on the 'net. Believe me, I've seen them get far less civil than what I've observed here. At least I've not yet seen anyone on this board refer to anyone else as a fascist. :D

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Here's an idea - don't like the thread, don't read it.

 

If that logic is good enough for cache hunting (as it is repeatedly mentioned), why isn't it sufficient for forum threads? Just because it annoys you?

Why must the casual viewer be "protected" from it?

 

However, unlike cache listings, I've so far been unable to locate the "Ignore Thread" button that would eliminate a thread from continually showing up on my topics listing. :(

 

What is preventing you from being able to ignore things that irritate you or in which you have no interest?

 

You're a huge fan of "Off-Topic" I take it.

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And just who gets to decide what topics -"belong there"?? I think even the more obvious rants have a place and newbies need to know how seasoned cachers feel about the topics.

 

I am generally with RK on this - the whole place acts as a Soapbox - and should.

That was my very initial thought when I saw this thread. Then I got to thinking about it and I realized that threads tend to fall into two categories. Those that ask for advice (What's the best kind of glue?), (Has anyone tried this kind of rechargeable battery?), and those that complain. I wonder if the 'complaint' threads don't usurp the forum and turn it into an unhealthy environment in which to grow the 'advice' threads.

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I don't personally see a need for a hidden forum that is unavailable to newcomers. These forums are pretty well moderated so what are we protecting them from?

 

Besides, most topics are generally discussed from varying angles with a pretty high degree of civility. Sure, the threads get angst-y sometimes but that shouldn't bother anyone... except me, but I'm overly sensitive. :laughing:

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Here's an idea - don't like the thread, don't read it.

 

If that logic is good enough for cache hunting (as it is repeatedly mentioned), why isn't it sufficient for forum threads? Just because it annoys you?

Why must the casual viewer be "protected" from it?

 

However, unlike cache listings, I've so far been unable to locate the "Ignore Thread" button that would eliminate a thread from continually showing up on my topics listing. :laughing:

 

What is preventing you from being able to ignore things that irritate you or in which you have no interest?

 

You're a huge fan of "Off-Topic" I take it.

 

I do ignore those threads that I've gotten fed up with. I was just wanting to maximize my on-line time by eliminating those listings from my screen. I do appreciate your helpful suggestion, however. And, no, I've never even been to the "Off-Topic" area yet. The Announcements, Getting Started, Geocaching Topics and Travel Bugs areas keep me busy enough.

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Other than the fact that I thought soapbox and forum was synonymous, you could put sub-cats in (preferably) the off-topic area of recurring themes:

 

-I hate micros

-I hate puzzles

-I hate LPCs

-I hate hiking

-I hate Ammo-spew

-I don't like caches that are brown

-Why can't I log caches I have not found

-Caches should not have to be approved

-Bring back virtuals

-Need/don't need PMC's

-I need 17000 caches per PQ

-I need to know about caches have been archived for the past 5 years

 

I think that about covers it.

Heck, if all those topics went away, the rest of the forums would be empty.

 

<cue tumbleweeds>

I agree. There's no doubt that the forums get a bit angsty at times but i feel that this adds to their appeal for many. People like to discuss, argue, and speak their minds sometimes and for the most part, that's what some of these forums are for. The mods are here for anything that gets out of hand so the way i see it, we're good to go as is...

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Here's an idea - don't like the thread, don't read it.

 

If that logic is good enough for cache hunting (as it is repeatedly mentioned), why isn't it sufficient for forum threads? Just because it annoys you?

Why must the casual viewer be "protected" from it?

 

However, unlike cache listings, I've so far been unable to locate the "Ignore Thread" button that would eliminate a thread from continually showing up on my topics listing. :laughing:

 

Firefox + Greasemonkey + LordElph's GM Script = Ability to enjoy the forums in peace. :laughing:

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Actually, I'd like to see FEWER forums than there are now. I often read the forums for entertainment, and i don't know what I'll find interesting until I see the topic title. I like having a vast list of topics all jumbled together. If I actually want to find something specific, there's the "search" function. I also hate it when I post a question to the general forum for broad readership and it gets immediately shunted to some less frequented board. Someone who has a good answer might be only scanning the general topics board.

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I've cruised the "Off Topic" forum and for the most part I just don't get it, I really don't. I guess you have to be a member of "in" crowd and I rarely am. I don;t see the need for taking controversial or conflictive issues to a separate forum. As long as people are willing to be civil it shows that not everyone is walking in lockstep and may even increase awareness of issues or broaden the understanding of other's thoughts and considerations. Communication usually leads to understanding, tolerance and resolution.

Edited by Seasoned Warrior
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I'm fairly new and I like seeing the diversity of topics. If I open one and begin reading and don't enjoy it, I move on. No big deal.

 

If we were all 10, then maybe censorship might be needed.

 

Oh! I know.. let's have a special forum for people that write excessively long posts. I never read them and that would get them out of my way. :laughing:

 

Edited for spelling

Edited by MickieD
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I think the idea does have some merit.

How the details would work out would have to be something decided by Groundspeak.

I think it has the potential to help improve the reputation of these forums.

At most meetings of geocachers that I have attended, these forums are not usually discussed favorably, for the reasons Snoogans mentioned.

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I think the idea does have some merit.

How the details would work out would have to be something decided by Groundspeak.

I think it has the potential to help improve the reputation of these forums.

At most meetings of geocachers that I have attended, these forums are not usually discussed favorably, for the reasons Snoogans mentioned.

 

I had never ever experienced a discussion forum before this one.

 

When I first started caching, I checked out the entire site. It was a couple weeks before the war started and tensions must have been running high because all manner of rudeness was going on in here. However, this was an unmoderated forum at the time too.

 

Right then and there, I made my mind up that geocachers were not the sort of folks I wanted to associate with and I was NEVER gonna go to a geocaching event if what happened here was representative of this community.

 

Thank goodness I discovered that those first impressions were WRONG! (I just attended my 104th event.)

 

I was personally invited to the very first Texas Challenge by one of the founders (UsMorrows) of this Texas tradition (now in its 6th year) after they and several other members of the community contacted me to help me with a particularly hard puzzle.

 

I went and had the time of my life. My first impression of this community that came from THIS FORUM turned 180 degrees.

 

During that event UsMorrows and 9Key invited me to particpate in the forums. I misunderstood them because I thought they meant THESE forums instead of the texasgeocaching.com forums which is a site they had jointly started very recently.

 

I toughened up my skin and waded into these forums and I'm glad I did. Local forums are nice and have a smaller scale of drama, but they also move along at the pace of a narcoleptic snail. Too slow to hold my interest for more than a quick peek every now and then.

 

Later on, the hgcs.org forum started after the old Houston Cachers forum wet belly up.

 

Realizing that first impressions mean a great deal, Geek-Qualizer opened a Soapbox Forum to have a place for folks that really participate (25+ posts) in the site to vent or post topics that would not be appropriate to discuss in front of casual visitors. It also has the effect of keeping someone from creating a sockpuppet to start drama in that forum.

 

As I've stated earlier, there is a certain logic to the idea that might appeal to the owners and operators of this forum. Sorta like cleaning up the living room before company arrives. First impressions mean a great deal.

Edited by Snoogans
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I've cruised the "Off Topic" forum and for the most part I just don't get it, I really don't. I guess you have to be a member of "in" crowd and I rarely am. ...
Me, too. For the most part, off-topic is abject silliness.
just checked it myself.silly for the most part.counting cheese,ducks,or anything else the site seems alot like playing solitair.
just checked it myself.silly for the most part.counting cheese,ducks,or anything else the site seems alot like playing solitair.
Yes, for me too, 99.9% of the posts/threads in the Off-Topic section make no sense to me at all.

Mournful lament about how the sport of geocaching is being ruined by people who don't adhere to my particular standards.

 

Gratuitous swipe at Jeremy and the lackey reviewers for selling out to commercialism instead of upholding the integrity of the game.

 

Vague hint of geocide. :laughing:

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I've cruised the "Off Topic" forum and for the most part I just don't get it, I really don't. I guess you have to be a member of "in" crowd and I rarely am. I don;t see the need for taking controversial or conflictive issues to a separate forum. As long as people are willing to be civil it shows that not everyone is walking in lockstep and may even increase awareness of issues or broaden the understanding of other's thoughts and considerations. Communication usually leads to understanding, tolerance and resolution.

I have never been part of the "in crowd"...Off Topic just takes a certain personality...it has nothing to do with who one knows!!!

 

OT is a great place to relax...

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just checked it myself.silly for the most part.counting cheese,ducks,or anything else the site seems alot like playing solitair.

Yes, for me too, 99.9% of the posts/threads in the Off-Topic section make no sense to me at all.

 

You mean they are supposed to make SENSE? No one told me that!

 

I read and participate BECAUSE they are silly! Gives me a chance to blow off steam harmlessly... usually.

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just checked it myself.silly for the most part.counting cheese,ducks,or anything else the site seems alot like playing solitair.

Yes, for me too, 99.9% of the posts/threads in the Off-Topic section make no sense to me at all.

That's the whole point; they're there purely for entertainment and relaxation.

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I think that a soapbox THREAD is a GREAT idea. There are at least a couple of "regular posters" here who don't seem to have a life aside from trolling every thread on every board & posting flame-bait 8 out of 10 times just because they don't have anything on-topic or intelligent to say. If the mods had an "eject" button to instantly send those non-contributional "responses" to the soapbox thread we'd have some semblance of order.

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I think that a soapbox THREAD is a GREAT idea. There are at least a couple of "regular posters" here who don't seem to have a life aside from trolling every thread on every board & posting flame-bait 8 out of 10 times just because they don't have anything on-topic or intelligent to say. If the mods had an "eject" button to instantly send those non-contributional "responses" to the soapbox thread we'd have some semblance of order.

 

Ummm, I think you misunderstood the idea. :laughing:

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I think that a soapbox THREAD is a GREAT idea. There are at least a couple of "regular posters" here who don't seem to have a life aside from trolling every thread on every board & posting flame-bait 8 out of 10 times just because they don't have anything on-topic or intelligent to say. If the mods had an "eject" button to instantly send those non-contributional "responses" to the soapbox thread we'd have some semblance of order.

 

Ummm, I think you misunderstood the idea. :laughing:

 

I'm glad you made that statement, because I was about to flame him :D:)

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