Forum Changes + Other Matters [June 2011]

[Fyuusii]

[TamTam79]

[A13x]

Personally speaking, I'm glad it's going.

It's the one part of the forum I never visit, and at times I've wished that I could be put into a usergroup unable to see it, as every time I do a forum search or just check out the newest posts, I'm faced with a wall of 70% of garbage GE posts when I'm just looking for threads with actual discussion and content.

I can at the same time see why people are upset about it's demise, especially the users who pretty much only come here to trade.

Things I'd like to see.

Wider avatars: The user column looks to have another 70 or so unutilized pixels. As increasing avatar width does not make the page any taller, and a chunk of screen, no matter the resolution is filled with blank grey, it would make sense for avatars, and user titles to be made to fit the available area.

Image scaling plugin: I've mentioned it before, and I realise that the forum software being used is way out of date etc, but rather than imposing width limits on images that are embedded by telling people to link them instead, the plugin would fix the problem automatically by scaling images >1000px to 1000px unless clicked to expand to original size. Pretty much every other forum I go to has this feature.

One other thing, not really anything to do with the forum structure, but just a general pointer, is that it seems like a pretty common occurrence for a new member to post a topic, and be greeted with "You should not post this here, put it in this thread!!", and prompt lockings etc. Now yes, a lot of the time this is appropriate, but many times I've noticed it happen on relatively grey topics, that could stand on their own as a topic, and not result in an angry outburst from forum residents and an embarrassed newcomer.

Promoting less mega threads and more actual discussion may foresee the careful lifting of this occurrence, but if not the two will cancel each other out and result in a less active forum.

Whatever happens, I'll still be showing my mug around here numerous times a day, probably more-so with the closure of GE. I just hope to see it blossom into more actual discussion instead of a resultant drop off.
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<3

[grim-one]

[A13x]

Thanks, but I doubt it'd be compatible with all the computers, portable devices and their browsers that I use
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<3

[grim-one]

[Sin Ogaris]

I think the abolishment of mega threads will help alleviate your woes in regards to new users, I know what you're getting at (I've done it as a moderator) so in the interest of boosting thread numbers and discussion I'll be sure to be more lenient in that regard, especially in regards to questions, as they can stand on their own as a) it's purpose is to get an answer, and a wall of unrelated posts isn't an answer and b) they tend to drop off quickly enough anyway.

[mrpookles]

I hope the Gaming Bargains thread isn't being taken off. I pretty much check the forums at least once a day on my phone to see what's new in there.

[Fly]

[Till@]

I like the mega threads, there are literally thousands of posts in those that would simply go unsaid if you had to create a topic (or find a ridiculously specific one). If I have a funny story about a cat it goes well in what made you smile, but nowhere else. Those mega threads also really help with getting to "know" other forummers too, what they do, their personality etc.

I would be very sad to see them go, don't axe them purely because they are large. Also, it wouldn't hurt to stop being so damn harsh to every single new topic anyone ever posts ever.

As for the Game Exchange all I have to say is wtf? It does bring users in, it brought me in and I stayed once I found out about the awesome community here. Frankly I didn't (and still don't) care enough about video-games enough to bother frequenting a forum that only has threads about video games and nothing else. I would have never found this place without the Game Exchange. I fear new users will suffer (and yes I did read the reasoning why this is slowing).

On a personal level though, I'm quite happy to see it go. Users that are here purely for the Game Exchange got on my nerves (and yes, I'm aware I once was one). Especially when some users posted the same items no-one wants over and over and over again, as well as acting like they were some kind of video game pimps supplying the plebs with their fix.

That said though, if a lot of regular users don't come here anymore because of this I won't either. I'm simply not interested in learning a whole different community as well as losing half the one we have all at once.

Also, why is the plus/negative thing still here? It servers no purpose, holds people back from saying what they really think and stops people coming up with a proper response to why they thought a post was bad. Also, plus whoring, all I'll say.

P.S. Our avatar space is not big enough, nor is the 40kb max file size. I have trouble getting images of the right size to use as an avatar.
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Mrs Tweedy! The Chickens are revolting!

[Qbert]

Can't believe the GE thread will be taken. A lot of new users started that way and I traded a lot of games there. Please make the forum available for people with say 1 year and 500 posts or something. I can't see any problems with that.
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[pom013]

[Pagan's Mind]

I think the negative vote should be removed but keep the positive one. Negging someone's post just seems like a bit of a **** move and most posts that get negged are from people with a grudge against that user (they usually neg a bunch of posts).

[Island_Wolf]

Voting system should give pluses to posts, not users. I don't care much for spoons anyway .

I'm neutral with negs but maybe there should be a way where users can report why they negged it and then it will show on the actual post people's reasoning and make it plus-able (sort of like stackoverflow in a way).
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"Work hard now, play even harder later"
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Unofficial PALGNchat - IRC Client *New Server!*

[Till@]

pom013 and Pagan's Mind make valid points. Consider my opinion on the plus/negative vote system shifted.
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Mrs Tweedy! The Chickens are revolting!

[Sin Ogaris]

Just an update on the "mega threads" thing. Things like "What Made you smile?" or Newest Purchase, etc are fine. It's the all encompassing topics like 3DS discussion and the like that we want to shy away from.

I'd also include one questions in that, we're quite happy for people, asking a question, to create a new topic and not be forced into that thread (granted it hasn't had much use lately anyway) and also to broaden out discussion on new interests like 3DS or E3.

[InvivnI]

Yay! The grammatical travesty that is the "One Questions" thread is going!
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My Photos

[chickenplucka]

Given that the 'game exchange' thread has been locked I would like to make a suggestion.
Given the main complaint of the moderators seems to be that they are wasting a lot of time, why don't we as the users reimburse them for their time. Using an honesty system why don't users make a paypal donation to a general 'game exchange' account which can then be evenly distributed to the moderators.
I'd be happy to make the odd donation if I knew it would mean the ge could remain open. People are even talking about paying for an app to be made.
I'm aware there are many other trading forums, but none seem as diverse, friendly and frankly, trustworthy as the palgn forums.
Instead of leaving this matter between the mods why not take on board feedback and suggestions from the community, many people have made good suggestions.

Another thing could be an eBay forum/thread where people can promote their eBay sales. This would not be preferable, but it would be good to keep track of what palgn members are selling.

I dont like the idea of locking the ge to only long term active members as it seems elitist and the welcoming nature of palgn is one of it's best qualities.

I hope you can take one of these on board, as simply closing the ge has clearly upset a great deal of the community that is palgn.
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[IISpacebreakII]

Hey Sin, the general guide was to link a picture over 1000 pixels wide. I know its only a guide and not necessarily a rule but would 1024 be acceptable? Its my smallest size a photo that can be taken on my camera.


Also guys, was wondering what the best site for photo-hosting is. Photobucket is just seemingly getting cumbersome and its design is ridiculously ****


@Chickenplucka, I was thinking of something similiar, even a one time donation of $10. Surely no scammer would pay that.

However perhaps if that system does come in, the entire reputation scheme gets banished. Or we could post only users with negative experiences. And ban them from the forum.

Ontop of that, either the money can go to the mods/site as a kinda thankyou. Or it can go into a collection pool where people can be reimbursed if they do get scammed.

I would also be willing to help moderate the threads, I can't gaurantee consistency in what times I will be present, but I can help a few hours here and there.

[ThunderCurls]

[Sin Ogaris]

I use imageshack, it's always suited my needs. Although I don't deal in a huge amount of photo's though so take that with a grain of salt.

In regards to images, it would make more sense to make the rule 1024, instead of 1000, as it's a more widely used dimension. I'll ask James.

[NeoSanity]

[Sin Ogaris]

As much as I complain about the Game Exchange, I'd actually feel pretty dirty getting paid for it, I dunno why, I'd just feel wrong, dunno about the other mods though. Also it'd make this site in line with say IGN (or Xbox Live), asking a "premium" so members can get the full benefits of the site. To me it feels like it goes against what PalGN was originally set up for, although it's also a Hell of a lot bigger than it used to be.

The idea of it going towards a kitty for wronged members is a great idea though, and would likely get a thumbs up from me, although my original reservations would probably linger in the back of my head.

One thing I will say though is that people paying ten bucks won't stop scammers, some dude is going to be happy to pay ten dollars if it means he can sell his PS3 box full of bricks for 200, especially when he's of the mindset that people are going to be trusting because he's fronted some cash.

[GooberMan]

[Fyuusii]