Author Topic: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!  (Read 119525 times)

Offline BG_Meg

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Which is the most appropriate board for posts trying out the die-roller to see what all it can and can't do?
I started a mini handbook in my noob thread if you want to check it out.

I can clean it up if there is enough interest to have it stickied somewhere.

I don't want it there. I want to make sure people only post in the right threads before they start, i.e. agree to the rules. With more junk threads in that section, it increases the chances someone can post there and not agree to the rules.
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Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #61 on: November 07, 2011, 01:37:24 PM »
YES! That's why it says that right on the TOP of every page! "The old boards were full of junk! We're starting over! You CAN access everything on the old boards though at http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/, so copy/paste what you want on over.  Any suggestions post on Board Business"

I set the permissions so while you can't post on the old boards, you can edit your own posts, so that means you can hit edit to copy/paste with all of the formatting and then paste on here. Only on your own posts though.
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Offline Risada

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #62 on: November 07, 2011, 01:42:18 PM »
YES! That's why it says that right on the TOP of every page! "The old boards were full of junk! We're starting over! You CAN access everything on the old boards though at http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/, so copy/paste what you want on over.  Any suggestions post on Board Business"

I set the permissions so while you can't post on the old boards, you can edit your own posts, so that means you can hit edit to copy/paste with all of the formatting and then paste on here. Only on your own posts though.
YAY! *Does the happy dance*

Indeed. This will help greatly.

... And I started printing my own threads in PDF so I could post it here later  :o

Offline Prime32

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I don't want it there. I want to make sure people only post in the right threads before they start, i.e. agree to the rules. With more junk threads in that section, it increases the chances someone can post there and not agree to the rules.
Moved the intro threads to another section, made the Noob section reply-only (with every thread except DA RULES locked), set it to require 1 post before the Intro section can be used. I figured it was best to do it quickly.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2011, 04:14:23 PM by Prime32 »

Offline PlzBreakMyCampaign

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #64 on: November 07, 2011, 06:27:16 PM »
How exactly do we recognize someone?
You have to have enough posts first. Wait for it.

I set the permissions so while you can't post on the old boards, you can edit your own posts, so that means you can hit edit to copy/paste with all of the formatting and then paste on here. Only on your own posts though.
Hmm is there a list of other boards-related mile-markers?

And well crap. The boards went down right in the middle of copying / saving a large amount of material. Is there any way I can get at the formatting (for other's work) so as to easily copy to other boards?

Offline Slaughterhouserock

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #65 on: November 07, 2011, 08:09:48 PM »
Will the old boards eventually be deleted, or will they stay as view-only indefinitely?  Just curious in the case of threads that don't get ported over as I have a shitload of bookmarks from the old boards.

If they do, it'll be because our server makes us delete them. The hope would be that they will stay for a long while. If we do have to delete, we hope you'll get a lot of warning.

Good deal, thanks.
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Offline Garryl

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #66 on: November 07, 2011, 11:51:12 PM »
What's the difference between the Handbook Writer and the Handbook Editor groups?

Offline Prime32

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #67 on: November 08, 2011, 12:01:18 AM »
What's the difference between the Handbook Writer and the Handbook Editor groups?
Handbook Editor can edit all handbooks.

Offline Childe

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #68 on: November 08, 2011, 12:10:33 AM »
... That's really disconcerting. I don't much enjoy the idea of someone putting words in my figurative mouth as if I had posted such.

Can there be some "request permission from author" step in that process so that editors can propose edits but not simply override authors?
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Offline Mooncrow

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #69 on: November 08, 2011, 12:17:31 AM »
I would imagine it's more for abandoned handbooks than ones that are currently maintained, given other comments Prime and the other mods have made in the past.

Offline Childe

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #70 on: November 08, 2011, 12:21:43 AM »
I would imagine it's more for abandoned handbooks than ones that are currently maintained, given other comments Prime and the other mods have made in the past.

My "Rebuilding Handbook" is, because of the nature of the topic (that to broaden the scope of the handbook would be to stop nowhere), rather short. As a result, once I edit it to include a few more sample builds, I don't intend to touch it unless someone specifically asks. That said, I'll rest much easier from a general standpoint knowing that other people aren't changing my posts which I may very likely not look at again for a long time. Even if I trust that the changes aren't attacks (deletion or clear abuse), I'm a writer, and I'm neurotic about this kind of thing: I want my words to be my words, my art my art.
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Offline SorO_Lost

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #71 on: November 08, 2011, 12:37:32 AM »
I can see a new topic button, but can't reply to Min/Max BoEF thread. Bug or do I need to publicly admit that I'm not really an immature kid?

Also, I think I side with Childe. This isn't wikipedia nor one of the free host wiki sites. Someone chooses to write a book in some sort of style about their favorite class and their recommendations for it. An editor's first response should not be to jump in and change suggestions, or wipe the style, or add what they think should be there. In fact, consider BG's stance on Moderation. Forum Mods can't edit other people's posts to prevent liability nightmares, yet the "Handbook Editor" group is literally based on doing exactly that.

I think someone on the mod team looked at the other and said "We need less threads on our forums! How can we stop seeing people post a second class handbook simply because the last one didn't get updated?". But instead of answering "let's just ensure that if the newer version copypastas to ensure accreditation, just like the community has been doing for years, and then just delete the older thread. Like the forum wipe we're doing!", they got hit over the head by their evil twin and replaced.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2011, 12:39:41 AM by SorO_Lost »

Offline Bill Bisco

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #72 on: November 08, 2011, 01:10:27 AM »
A Few Things:

1. The website is called MinMax Boards, but the Prominent Boards are not Min Max boards.  I don't think we need a General D&D Discussion, a General 3.5 Discussion and a General 4E Discussion.  Probably just a General D&D Discussion and a Min/Max 3.5 and a Min/Max 4E.

2. You made a Playtime board again.  But perhaps a Game Recruiting board would be more appropriate with a Play by Post board tucked underneath.  A lot of times people want to play games with Optimized characters but not play-by-post ;)  and the best place to recruit optimizers is here.

3. The password setting changed.  I preferred the old boards method of not insisting that a password have a Capital letter and a Number.  I've used the same long string for years and it's annoying to change.

4. Lurkers can see all forums, but registered members have to make two posts to see forums.  I think I know what you're trying to do, but I don't think you can force users to socialize or to obey rules.  They already signed up to the site which is redundant in accepting your policies.  I estimate that you will remove your requirement to post twice to see threads in the future due to hassles.

Offline BG_Meg

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #73 on: November 08, 2011, 01:21:47 AM »
I'll address 2 of these

3. The password setting changed.  I preferred the old boards method of not insisting that a password have a Capital letter and a Number.  I've used the same long string for years and it's annoying to change.

4. Lurkers can see all forums, but registered members have to make two posts to see forums.  I think I know what you're trying to do, but I don't think you can force users to socialize or to obey rules.  They already signed up to the site which is redundant in accepting your policies.  I estimate that you will remove your requirement to post twice to see threads in the future due to hassles.

3- Sorry, that's the way it is. The whole reason we had to start over was too much spam so we're taking every measure short of approving every registration to keep spam out.

4- Not going to happen. We had the same thing on the other boards for a long while and it was never an issue.
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Offline Nanshork

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #74 on: November 08, 2011, 03:16:46 AM »
I'm just curious, is there any way to see what post I got kudos from?

Offline veekie

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #75 on: November 08, 2011, 03:41:23 AM »
I would imagine it's more for abandoned handbooks than ones that are currently maintained, given other comments Prime and the other mods have made in the past.

My "Rebuilding Handbook" is, because of the nature of the topic (that to broaden the scope of the handbook would be to stop nowhere), rather short. As a result, once I edit it to include a few more sample builds, I don't intend to touch it unless someone specifically asks. That said, I'll rest much easier from a general standpoint knowing that other people aren't changing my posts which I may very likely not look at again for a long time. Even if I trust that the changes aren't attacks (deletion or clear abuse), I'm a writer, and I'm neurotic about this kind of thing: I want my words to be my words, my art my art.
Its purely for dead handbook recovery and maintenance. We have quite a number with missing or collaborative authors, which could use an editing mechanism. Thats about it.
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Offline Childe

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #76 on: November 08, 2011, 11:23:48 AM »
Its purely for dead handbook recovery and maintenance. We have quite a number with missing or collaborative authors, which could use an editing mechanism. Thats about it.

While I understand the intent, Veekie, I still will remain one who dislikes the idea of a group of people (rather, a number of individual persons) capable of editing other people's work as deemed necessary.

Though this may seem petty (I hope it doesn't, but I'm not naive enough to think people will not take it simply as childishness), I want to be clear about my reaction: aside from the Rebuilding Handbook (which is insular, and should remain so), and the two treatises I've introduced for the 4e boards, I will not be writing any more handbooks as long as there are others who can edit them without my consultation if they judge my work to be incomplete. I am not opposed to processes of editing at large - I am a writer, and I understand well the value of editing - but the total authority of it (which I also understand well is a contingency against missing authors who cannot be contacted*) leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I do take pride in my work, for better or for worse, and to be unsure that my work is remaining mine out of the judgments of other persons is not comforting. Further, to clarify, there are periods when I will sometimes not visit BG and may be unreachable. It is not unthinkable that someone might conclude that I have gone missing, as even when I am around I see much and post little.

As regards collaborative handbooks, perhaps I don't see the advantage over the account-sharing approach which has been popular.

*Fixing one problem and creating another - as SorO points out, the very problem the moderation limits were built to avoid - seems the worse option when you could simply delete or (preferably, for a community built on the learning process of optimization) archive threads that have outlasted their usefulness and been replaced with more thorough handbooks which give credit for their inspirations, which may include those very outdated and abandoned handbooks.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2011, 11:25:23 AM by Childe »
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Offline Sohala

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #77 on: November 08, 2011, 12:07:54 PM »
I have noticed the scrolling on the boards is a little choppy. Anyway to reduce this? (Video driver is up to date)
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Offline Tshern

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #78 on: November 08, 2011, 02:49:55 PM »
Will all the old Handbooks be ported over? I read those things religiously
I am working on moving the ones written by the Handbook_Writer account. Or, rather, I will work on that and I have already been offered help.

On the topic of moving old handbooks, are the tags here identical to those of BG? I remember there were some differences between BG and WotC, which made transporting threads from one place to another a bit more complicated. Also, I am considering moving the Handy Links thread I tried to maintain at BG so that people have easier access to the old threads there. Any thoughts about that?
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Offline SorO_Lost

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Re: Thoughts/ Suggestions/ Questions with the new boards? Post here!
« Reply #79 on: November 08, 2011, 03:11:54 PM »
On the topic of moving old handbooks, are the tags here identical to those of BG? I remember there were some differences between BG and WotC, which made transporting threads from one place to another a bit more complicated.
WotC's Size tag doesn't work here. Also WotC's quote wipes line breaks >.>

The ones I portered over from BG worked fine though. :)