I am getting really annoyed at this place

[toxicpiano 125]

Some people choose to bump year old threads for no reason, others bump their own threads with simply .. However there are some people who bump their threads for LEGITIMATE reasons. These reasons might be an update on a BAT they are designing, or a cj.
And why is it that people bump there own threads?

because nobody comments!

This problem gets worse everyday here, and i am getting seriously annoyed with it, as people here produce the most amazing things, but they dont get any support for it. The most fantastic cjs, often from newer members, get little word of encouragement.I have seen cjs with quadruple posts by the creator, and yet noone chooses to comment. it is REALLY of putting to new members especially, the fact they produce something unique and noone cares to say their opinion on it. This kind of thing almost stopped me from BATing, for example in my old BAT thread i often found myself double posting, with only 1 or 2 comments between those posts. You kind of think, if they arent commenting, does that mean its crap? does that mean that because noone bothers to comment, noone will download it? So eventually you just stop bothering and dont carry on. Another example is the projectAI thread. over a thousand views and only 10 or 20 comments from people who are not the designers. We appreciate all comments, be it constructive critism. Both help to achieve the final artical. Me and Kaji have been having whats the point syndrome, which is slowly making the project fade away. Even senior BATers such as oneil, i think have had to bump their threads.

I feel awful for the newbies among us with so much potential, but with no encouragement. I love this place, but am annoyed at this current situation. Just my opinion btw.

[Voar Tok 4]

Well, I don't personally believe that there is a real problem here, because it is no one's obligation to post in something just because it is there.  If you read a person's CJ, then leave a comment.  If you download something from the STEX, leave a comment and a rating.  However, I don't think that it is practical for people to post just because.  Also, the differences between the post counts and the view numbers on a thread are also not that great of a way to tell if members are reading it without posting.  People who are not members here can read a thread as many times as they like, but they can't post at all.  Hence, that will contribute to the discrepancies.

I personally believe that as a whole, this community is very supportive.  There might be sporadic issues, but not that many of them.

[Kevin 101]

I agree with Voar Tok, on the whole this community is very supportive, and if a CJ really is spectacular, sooner or later it is bound to get noticed.

Oh, and I changed the title of the thread... I know you were going for effect, but all caps isn't allowed here

[sim1234 62]

A member can't be everywhere at once. There are only a certain amount of threads each member can read and no-one has an obligation to post. If they see members trying to get them to post, they'll be even less likely to do it. The community tries its best to help people who need help with the game. There are a lot of CJ's on Simtropolis and it would be impossible for a member to read all of them. If people want to post in a thread they will, if they don't want to post in a thread they don't have to and no-one should make them to.

[thatmonkeysim 8]

as always for ST it takes awhile for a CJ to get noticed... but once it does there is no stopping it!

[Voar Tok 4]

Date: 12/5/2005 5:58:33 PM Author: sim1234 A member can't be everywhere at once. There are only a certain amount of threads each memeber can read and no-one has an obligation to post. If they see members trying to get them to post, they'll be even less likely to do it. The community tries its best to help people who need help with the game. There are a lot of CJ's on Simtropolis and it would be impossible for a member to read all of them. If people want to post in a thread they will, if they don't want to post in a thread they don't have to and no-one should make them to.

quote>

That was really well said.

 

Part of the reason why I bothered to create the custom sig service was so that people could get something they made some spotlight without having to decipher all of the code that is necessary for it to look good in a person's sig.

[Mikeaut1 261]

Date: 12/5/2005 6:06:25 PM Author: thatmonkeysim as always for ST it takes awhile for a CJ to get noticed... but once it does there is no stopping it!

quote>

Exactly. Just take a look at Palm Point by DragonAnime, or even Wood County, by the author of who I quoted, ThatMonkeySim! Things take time. I agree with both Voar and 89, in that this site is very supportive and continues to be. It takes time for something to get noticed, and when it does, it continues to be. 

 

Also, people that bump their own threads... I personally don't think its right. It's just making yourself liable to absorb attention through the community. I also don't think that you should give up your creations just because of lack of comments. I have felt the same way about my city journals and their comments in the past, but it never really led me to close the city journal because of lack of comments. I think you should continue what you're doing, and sooner or later, it will catch on and more people will come to visit. I do think though, that its polite; if you view a thread, you should comment on it. If you view a lot on the STEX and you like it, take the time to comment it and tell the author how you like it. Constructive criticism is a great way to comment around here too. So I don't blame you for feeling whats the point. It happens to all of us!

[vidioman 21]

I've got tons of new updates for my BAT threads, but since I dont like double posting, I wont post them. (unless someone else has posted in it today) I don't really care too much, it saves the time of having to upload and explain stuff.

I don't reply to CJs because I dont find them very interesting, I just reply when someone bambards me with it in msn and wont shut up until I do

Just wait, if they care they care, if not, whatever. Finish what you started anyway, for yourself at least. That's pretty much what DT does.

(though people spam his thread halfway to hell)

[kingofsimcity 5,739]

Hey, when I first started to make CJ, I probably quadrupled-posted, although only one or two people make a comment. Then, as I got more experienced in making a CJ, the comments started flowing in and then that is when it is upon. It takes time, just like everything else in life.

[MrCinatit 30]

i personally look at views rather than replies.

this is unofficial, but for every comment you get, you will probably get at least 10 views without comments. this is not because people do not like your work - some enjoy lurking. some feel what has already been said need not repeating. some simply don't have time.

as for bumping your own threads, in my opinion this is not as bad a thing in the BAT and CJ forums after a reasonable period of time (about 12 hours between updates). as others have said, it might be rough goings at first, but those who continue to work hard and continue a creative output are sure to be noticed.

[Eastwinn 6]

I'm OK with people bumping their own thread for a good reason. If someone bumped their thread so it wwould be at the top, that would be a shameful thing. But, if you have a CJ from months ago and you thought you might update it, then, there is no problem there.

[Duke87 1,070]

I have a personal policy to not look at anyone's BAT threads. Why? Because there's always the chance they'll be posting previews of something that they ultimately never end up releasing. Having OCD, this bothers me, so I simply chose to avoid it. I'll know about it whaen it's actually released.

As for CJs, well, I really usually don't care about what other people's made up regions look like. There are on occasion exceptions to this rule (such as the NYC CJs), though. Another thing about CJs that has become more and more common is that the authors feel the need to embelish their screen shots in photoshop by framing them, making it look like it's on a postcard, adding a logo to all their screenshots, framing the image with a caption, etc. This really bothers me because if someone has a screenshot of sometyhing that looks awesome, I usually will want to save it to my hard drive. But I only want raw screen shots, without all the other crap tacked on. So I'm stuck having to either take the crap that comes with it or not saving it. If everyone used raw screen shots in their CJs, I would be much more inclined to read them. Now I know that just about everyone will disagree with me on this, but these editings ruin screenshots. They don't make it look more professional or whatever you're trying to accomplish. They ruin them. They're no longer good screenshots. They're destroyed by being edited.

 

So there ya have it.

[brtim2 10]

You right, the community does not respond well to works done by others. But I think you need to change your attitude. In BAT and LOT threads no comments usually mean 'All Clear.' That means people are happy with it or they see nothing wrong with it. Comments in the BAT section are usually about something being wrong or out of place. There are, however, more active threads that get lots of posts but they all say the same thing. 'please make this' or 'i like that' or 'there is something wrong' or 'you're a god'. I don't like those posts, they annoy me. I'd rather have no posts and a lot of views on something than 87 'cool' posts. Which brings me to the next section.

In a City Journal things are a little different. No comments does not always mean 'all clear,' but could mean something is wrong. However, one cannot take that as it is and instead should check the Views of a thread. That is a good indicator. I will look but not comment in many CJ's because I agree with what has been said, and obviously I like writing more than a line. Usually I venture into the CJ department just to look and gather what others have done. That means the views will go up and the posts will not. Take it as you will. (Although I have started posting more so more people can see my satire.)

And I agree with Duke. I think those Photoshop enhancements are ridiculus. Especially those that include the sunlight dot or whatever it is. It isn't cool and it hurts my eyes. That's a good way for me to immediately hit the back button and skip the rest of the update.

[your_adress_here 11]

I think that bumping year old threads isn't a problem at all. Heck, if we were to remove the post date it, wouldn't even matter.

[vidioman 21]

As long as the post is relevant. Look at the what are you listening to now thread. Its doing fine.

[Eastwinn 6]

Duke: I'm with you. I like the title pages that have edited pics, that's kind of cool. I also like how in GB, chocolatemax puts his logo at the top where it is not overlapping the actual screenshot. If I had a CJ, I would probably do the same.

[gggg 9]

I myself had a few abendent threats couse no one posted...

anyways..

you cant make ppl post

but still I think threats like that can open theyr eyes or some thing....

[villarule 2]

i would prefer people to post in old threads than create new ones on the same subject, that really annoys me
Other than that, this site is fine and dandy

[SamFlash 0]

Date: 12/5/2005 10:07:29 PM Author: your_adress_here I think that bumping year old threads isn't a problem at all. Heck, if we were to remove the post date it, wouldn't even matter.

quote>

I feel that if we're not to revive old threads, the moderators for each forum should go thru and close them and make them read only.  If it's pertinent now who cares when it was started. 

[Jasoncw 11,839]

^ That's a good idea.

Sometimes in my BAT thread I'll have to double post because no one comments, but ussually someone will comment. There are regulars to the thread who are very nice .

But if no one comments and there are two posts in a row, doesn't that make it easier to read? I wish people would stop commenting in some of the more busy threads because you browse through a page or two of comments just to see the next actual update. So mabye there is a happy middle where the authors feel appreciated and the readers can still read the thread easily.

On the Stex I think people should always rate, because the only way for a rating system like that to work is for alot of people to rate. If you order the stex according to ratings, you'll see at the top are a few things that have 10s but that's because only a few people rated. But I'm guilty of not rating as much as I should too.

But the problems about thread bumping and lack of comments are the same on all forums on the web.

[louisville327 0]

Date: 12/6/2005 12:44:01 PM
Author: Jasoncw
But the problems about thread bumping and lack of comments are the same on all forums on the web.

quote>


That's just the nature of the beast. You're always going to see these problems, no matter what message board you're on.

It sucks, but that's the reality. At least in most places.

[Compromise 1]

Date: 12/6/2005 11:39:01 AM Author: SamFlash I feel that if we're not to revive old threads, the moderators for each forum should go thru and close them and make them read only.  If it's pertinent now who cares when it was started.

quote>

 

I semi piloted this when moderting once. It diden't work as I coudent keep up with all the dieing threads and people kept saying they would have prefered to bump up the old threads insteasd of starting a new one.

 

Anyway the rules about bumping up old threads has been discussed before and most of us agreed you can bump up old threads as long as you are continueing the discussion and not just making quick comments.

I like to support CJ's and other creation threads but I can only be in so many places at once. Patience is the key here.

[nealos101 20]

Yes, I agree with compy, patience is key and if no one comments, like Mr.C has said, it's the views that really matter!

I used to apologise for double posting updates & thankyou notes but now I understand if I give up becuase of no one commenting it's going to go to waste.  I gave up not too long back, and eventually when I had enough comments I nearly lost my whole reigon! (I did loose it for a period).

 

I now don't apologise becuase I've never had a complaint about doulbe posting on my CJ & BAT thread.  When I start bumping it gets annoying so I won't do it, that's what you should concentrate on doing ToxicPiano.

 

I have a select group of commenters on my CJ, they always view my CJ and comment when they think it's time to.  I try my best to return the favour but I also understand that they arn't on here forever and one less comment will mean at least 50 more viewers for me.  So stop worrying Toxic and continue BATing and CJing, becase there are people watching, just probably don't have much to say other than Wow, so good! and Keep it up! Remember, people can't post like that and if there is any post I hate, it's the short ones with no imagination. (Although one member that posts short comments is worth having! We all know who she is becuase once she posts, the whole thread starts getting loads of comments.)

 

Relax dude, be patient, and if you feel that a CJ or BAT thread is not getting enough credit... Why not post in there yourself?

 

Nealos101

[TheCrybKeeper 275]

Thank you for saying the above Mr Cinitat. Exactly what I wanted to point out, after I read this thread.

 It's the numbr of views that says; people are making repeat visits, because they remember you.

 

This happens to artists quite often, musicians, writers, etc. After all, the game is an artform also. The STEX is a collaborative canvas. So are the CJ's and BAT progress threads; an artists canvas'.

 

I have spent 5 years building up a fan base for my graphic art. There are many times, I get zero comments or views even, as the art gets buried/bumped, down the gallery pages, as 100's of other artists try to post hourly.

 

Look at it this way: Your an artist on Tour and right now, your hitting the club scene. Sometimes you wonder why you keep on keepin' on, but you know, one day, someday, they will here you and put you up on a pedestal.

 

Okay now that was sappy.....

[PhilsCafe 8]

As far as I'm concerned, I like every kind of feedback, no matter if short or long. Of course, the views do matter, but a couple of words are a little more encouraging and personal. I'd like to know who's watching my CJ. And sometimes there's nothing more to say but 'keep it up' or 'great job', so it's nothing wrong with short replys.

So I kinda agree with all of you...

I also try to post when I look at a CJ, although that's not always possible with that huge amount of CJs. I think it's only fair to let the author (especially newer ones) know that their work isn't useless. Sometimes they just need a little advice... EDIT: but unfortunately patience does not always pay (I've seen a couple of CJs dying before they even got off the ground...)

Just my 0.02$.

-Phil

[toxicpiano 125]

Date: 12/6/2005 5:37:41 PM Author: PhilsCafe As far as I'm concerned, I like every kind of feedback, no matter if short or long. Of course, the views do matter, but a couple of words are a little more encouraging and personal. I'd like to know who's watching my CJ. And sometimes there's nothing more to say but 'keep it up' or 'great job', so it's nothing wrong with short replys. So I kinda agree with both o you... I also try to post when I look at a CJ, although that's not always possible with that huge amount of CJs. I think it's only fair to let the author (especially newer ones) know that their work isn't useless. Sometimes they just need a little advice... Just my 0.02$. -Phil

quote>

exactly.

[hym 358]

If a person doesn't post in your thread, that doesn't necessarly mean that they don't care.  Sometimes they (like me now) don't feel so good and would rather not post.

[the_new_simman 5]

Yeah..about that thread I bumped...yeah. Sometimes there's a time to be funny and have fun. I actually rarely bump threads at all, but just the other day I had this urge to bumb a 2 year old thread. Once won't hurt, but many times will.

On another note, not everyone likes to leave a post on every threads. I mean, that would be a pain. Only 5% of the threads I read get a comment, but that doesn't mean I don't like them...(double negative?)

[Fischbob 9]

I'm actually going to have to partially agree with Toxic here. Not too long ago I finally finished an update for my CJ, one that I poured many hours of organizing and writing into. The next day, I found no replies whatsoever. Sure, there had been views, but having no feedback just makes me question whether I did all that work for nothing. The whole reasoning behind posting a CJ, at least for me, is for the enjoyment of other people. If there's no evidence that people are enjoying my CJ, why continue when it would be so much easier to have fun building cities for myself without having to worry about maintaining a thread? Even a Cool or Keep it up beats dead silence, and sure as heck fulfills my purpose.

 

Of course, I'm not about to end the CJ because of it, but would it kill ya to acknowledge that it exists? As quoted from my CJ:

 

I'd like to take this moment to encourage any lurkers out there to please leave a comment on what you think about this CJ, be your impressions good or bad. It helps me to improve the journal and/or feel good.

 

At least leave a comment in the CJs you read, however small and insignifigant it means to you, it means a whole lot to authors who have put lots of time into their work. The same goes for BAT/Modding threads. A little response goes a long way.

[Micah 16]

Date: 12/5/2005 7:51:02 PM Author: MrCinatit

i personally look at views rather than replies.

this is unofficial, but for every comment you get, you will probably get at least 10 views without comments. this is not because people do not like your work - some enjoy lurking. some feel what has already been said need not repeating. some simply don't have time.

as for bumping your own threads, in my opinion this is not as bad a thing in the BAT and CJ forums after a reasonable period of time (about 12 hours between updates). as others have said, it might be rough goings at first, but those who continue to work hard and continue a creative output are sure to be noticed.

quote>

That's so true. If you work hard, great things can happen. I must admit thought, we have about 99,000 people here and only about 2,000 people (yes, it may seem like a high number, but it is true) are active people in the forums... which may seem high, but is relatively low.