mr gummidge Wrote:Hi Admin,
A few of us lately have been chatting in the shoutbox about the state of the forum as things stand (as you're no doubt aware). First of all, let me say that we all love being on the forum; that's why we're sending this message as opposed to leaving and looking for other sites to hang around on. The problem all of us have, is that the forum is becoming unwieldy. Duplicate threads are popping up like chickweeds, threads are repeatedly placed in the wrong forums, and despite the overwhelmingly friendly nature of the site and it's users when flame wars erupt they often spread over several pages of a thread before being halted, threads are being used as private chatrooms (something many were guilty of before the advent of the shoutbox) and the general feel of the place has become niggly and short tempered because of this. With this being the case, several of us have been chatting about ideas that we think would benefit the forum.

Foremost amongst those ideas is the appointing of several moderators, one or two of whom would be a senior moderator having enough administrative rights to delete or merge duplicated threads, along with the ability to delete posts that are grossly offensive or libelous as well as taking down copyrighted material in the event of a request for such. The others would have more basic access for managing less active forums.

The other ideas include the posting of sticky threads at the top of every page in each channel forum, containing the list of who is appearing on the channel that night. Prominently placed FAQ's in each of the major sections about what is expected from those posting on the board as a whole as well as information about the specific forums therein and also possibly limiting the sections in which new members can post threads and replies for a set number of posts, to allow new members to settle in more gently and see how the forum works rather than being thrown in at the deep end.

Please understand that we in no way wish to criticize the way the forum has been run thus far, we merely feel that as one of the fastest growing and most active forums of its type on the web that things are fast growing beyond the point at which one or two people can maintain them and have any semblance of real world life as well. Several of us have discussed this thoroughly and are more than willing to help in any way that we can, be it as volunteer moderators or writing FAQ's etc.

We all hope you're not offended by this message and our offer to help maintain the site we enjoy using so much and hope to hear back from you regarding the ideas we've put forward.

One other thing that we should make abundantly clear is that while we as a group are the ones asking for these changes, we in no way wish to imply that any of us are suggesting you should appoint any or all of us as moderators. Of course any hypothetical appointments should be at your discretion and yours alone, we are merely letting you know that we -and no doubt others too- are willing to help.

Thanks for listening,

Dan (mr gummidge)*

****** (Anonymity)*

****** (rover)*

shavedcok

jordo

G@Z!

oopnorth

****** (doc7576)*

* Real names are included where they've been given, in order to make it clear that this is something many of us have put together, rather than a few names I've grabbed from thin air after a chat in the shoutbox. All names on the list have read the letter and approved the contents.