this place is dead

[Broni]

I'm as guilty as anyone of trying to inject some humor into support threads.

Well, I'm definitely not a dull person and I like humor too.
There is nothing wrong with cracking a joke here and there, even in strictly computer related topic.
What I'm talking about are topics, where the original subject get totally lost and all of sudden we have a discussion about something else.
Something else is often a discussion, who is right, who is wrong, "I'm smarter than you" and so on.
Try to read a reply #9, or #12 in some topics and you won't have any idea what the topic subject is.

I'm hoping with the new 2.0 update and the warning system

I lost some info somewhere, so....how does that warning system work?
Is some warning level bar going to be shown under member's avatar?
That's how it works on many boards.
In any case, it's probably a great idea.

Which brings me to another possible issue....too many "dead" moderators.
I assume, moderator title is given for some reason...to moderate?

I see people like patio, or Allan being here every day for at least couple of hours and that's moderating to me.
On moderators list, I can see some people, who haven't show up for days, or months, or they visit for a few minutes once in a while.
If some title is so important to some people, maybe they should be named "Honorary moderator", or something similar and instead have couple more moderators, who actually do some work around here.
I don't think, Nathan can do it single handed, even if he's here 24/7, which surely is impossible.

Still, I'd like to see some comment regarding malware forum.

[computeruler]

Like infractions?  That would be a great idea.

[Broni]

Exactly.

I think, I'd like to see number of posts under member's avatar instead of in a fly-out.
When replying, it's easier to select language, depending on, if I'm dealing with a newbie, or someone with 200 posts.

[Quantos]

I think this would be an excellent idea, is it something we can talk Nathan into

[Allan]

Exactly.

I think, I'd like to see number of posts under member's avatar instead of in a fly-out.
When replying, it's easier to select language, depending on, if I'm dealing with a newbie, or someone with 200 posts.

I agree completely and have already suggested this, but I think Nathan is waiting to see how many others agree.

[BC_Programmer]

I find it ironic that this discussion about off-topic/infractions and so forth is in and of itself off-topic for this thread.

Often there would be multiple "conversations" occurring in a single thread, often about entirely unrelated subjects. I used to make sure that if I posted I would at least attempt to address the original problem; but I've found that that really doesn't help either, since eventually one "conversation" wins and it goes entirely off-topic.

Lately when I've seen threads I've been involved in go off-topic I try to either stop posting in that thread or return to the original topic. I usually go for the former since I seem to have a habit of making things worse rather then better.

I think that a single case could be made for OT conversations- those that are started by the original poster. Of course it depends entirely on context, but sometimes the OP will return with a similar or related problem, or a few satellite queries stuff like "what hard drive brands would you recommend" when told they need a new HD, and so forth- which may spark further conversation between other members about various HD brands and their experiences with them, etc. In those cases, It's usually productive to continue it in that topic rather then say "start a new thread", but only for the Original Poster, of course.


For the other stuff (Infractions/warnings, etc) Certainly something worth looking into.

[Broni]

I don't see how this topic is off topic since it started with: "this place is dead" and we've been discussing why it is.

[harry 48]

Well, I'm definitely not a dull person and I like humor too.
There is nothing wrong with cracking a joke here and there, even in strictly computer related topic.
What I'm talking about are topics, where the original subject get totally lost and all of sudden we have a discussion about something else.
Something else is often a discussion, who is right, who is wrong, "I'm smarter than you" and so on.
Try to read a reply #9, or #12 in some topics and you won't have any idea what the topic subject is.

i agree broni and brought this up months ago about going of topic in a post , but within 9 to 12 posts ( as you said ) you would not have known what the op posted about and so the whole subject is lost

[kpac]

Where did all the other posts here go?

[BC_Programmer]

Where did all the other posts here go?

the first page? 

[kpac]

The were two pages in this topic.

EDIT:: drat, I was playing around with settings and changed the number of posts per page to 25. Silly me.

[Dead Reckon]

Oh, irony, how I loath thou.

[truenorth]

Because it was mentioned earlier in the thread of this post i hope i shall be staying within the "topic'. "Secondly, since evilfantasy practically left, the malware forum looks like a joke". I was NOT aware of "evilfantasy's" departure from the forums. From my limited involvement with that forum and him in particular i had developed a practice. Whenever a member (usually a new one) expressed a problem that either was or potentially could be related to that forum i would always direct them there. Usually including a reference to the exclusivity of the expertise that existed there for those type of problems. So it discourages me and removes my credibility as an advisor to learn that i am sending people there and what i promised would be the result is not assured. I would recommend, if it is possible , that someone be designated to be in charge of that forum and that that person assign those who can exclusively provide advice there. The names of those individuals could be posted as a preliminary post at the beginning of the forum. A statement such as "Only these people should be considered qualified to assist on this forum". I shall govern myself accordingly until i become aware that sending problems there will be better dealt with. truenorth

[BC_Programmer]

I would recommend, if it is possible , that someone be designated to be in charge of that forum and that that person assign those who can exclusively provide advice there.

Um... you just described CBMatt.

A statement such as "Only these people should be considered qualified to assist on this forum". I shall govern myself accordingly until i become aware that sending problems there will be better dealt with. truenorth

Or, we could do something really crazy, like a custom title, like, say- just thinking- "malware specialist" maybe... oh what? that's already what it is? 

[truenorth]

Yes,except that as on all the other forums ANYONE can contribute their advise (good/bad /or indifferent) and the poster is then left to decide whether to listen/follow that advise. Given this comment (again credit to Broni) " the malware forum looks like a joke." It is hardly appropriate to suggest that the current situation is anything close to ideal. Therefore an approach of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" IMHO is not in the best interests of the CH forums in general and that one in particular regardless of what is currently in place. If Broni's observation is accurate then fixing is needed (if possible). I believe it can be improved. truenorth