New Off Topic Forums

[villarule 2]

I seem to remember about a year ago there was a lot of talk of extending the Off Topic section of these forums, have these plans been scrapped?
I would be very much in favour of new sub forums under the 'Off-Topic' genre, does anyone else support the idea?

[Compromise 1]

Yes I agree it is a good idea but these plans have not been scraped as far as I know. There just still in progress, the admins probabley have simpley not got round to doing this yet and are probabley not entirley sure how or even if to do it. We shall just have to see if are dirktator desides to go ahead or not.

[Jasoncw 11,839]

I'm not sure what the plans were, but right now the off-topic forum isn't busy enough to divide it. Each forum it got divided into would look like a ghost town, then no one would visit, and then no one would post, and then there would be less overall traffic to the off topic forum(s).

[vidioman 21]

Off Topic should be divided into several sections

Off Topic in general
Hobbies/food etc.
Architecture forum
History/Politics/Current Events
Computer/Technology
Forum games
Community goings-on

they'd get people going to them. Itd keep the whole thing more organised. And we dont need a politics section, if it wont work. It would require constant moderation.

We're just to immature for it

I think the architecture forum should be moved into the off topic seciton, though, since I never look at the simcity part anymore, I only post here for my BAT thread and off topic, and the occasional spammy post elsewhere.

It wouldnt amke it a ghost town, it would show thqt there is more happening in off topic. We have 100,000 members, it should work. I know forums with only 6000 members that have giant off topic sections.

[dev 47]

Date: 12/7/2005 12:44:48 PM
Author: vidioman
Off Topic should be divided into several sections


Off Topic in general

Hobbies/food etc.

Architecture forum

History/Politics/Current Events

Computer/Technology

Forum games

Community goings-on


they'd get people going to them. Itd keep the whole thing more organised. And we dont need a politics section, if it wont work. It would require constant moderation.


We're just to immature for it


I think the architecture forum should be moved into the off topic seciton, though, since I never look at the simcity part anymore, I only post here for my BAT thread and off topic, and the occasional spammy post elsewhere.


It wouldnt amke it a ghost town, it would show thqt there is more happening in off topic. We have 100,000 members, it should work. I know forums with only 6000 members that have giant off topic sections.

quote>

I think allowing political debate would be a very good thing for SimTropolis. As long as moderation was fair...(example...Conservative Mod, Liberal Mod) I think it would be a good addition to the site since politics is my favorite subject. I would become and addict to a History/Politics/Current Events forum...I wanna see that happen!

[Voar Tok 4]

I seem to remember the forum rules saying something about No Politics.

Personally, I think a politics section would be interesting, but I think that dirk was wise in not allowing it.  The potential for a flame war is too great!

[+Guest]

sounds like a good idea i wouldn't mind seeing a philosophy forum here as well

[vidioman 21]

Date: 12/7/2005 1:00:55 PM
Author: dev

Date: 12/7/2005 12:44:48 PM

Author: vidioman

Off Topic should be divided into several sections
Off Topic in general
Hobbies/food etc.
Architecture forum
History/Politics/Current Events
Computer/Technology
Forum games
Community goings-on



they'd get people going to them. Itd keep the whole thing more organised. And we dont need a politics section, if it wont work. It would require constant moderation.

We're just to immature for it

I think the architecture forum should be moved into the off topic seciton, though, since I never look at the simcity part anymore, I only post here for my BAT thread and off topic, and the occasional spammy post elsewhere.

It wouldnt amke it a ghost town, it would show thqt there is more happening in off topic. We have 100,000 members, it should work. I know forums with only 6000 members that have giant off topic sections.

quote>
I think allowing political debate would be a very good thing for SimTropolis. As long as moderation was fair...(example...Conservative Mod, Liberal Mod) I think it would be a good addition to the site since politics is my favorite subject. I would become and addict to a History/Politics/Current Events forum...I wanna see that happen!

quote>

dont bring conservativsm and liberalism into this either. If thart were the case, we'd also need a libertairan, fascist, anarchist, communist, and authoritairian mods,too.

We just need someone that can stop a diuscussion when it gets too flame-war-y, and curb extremsim.

[villarule 2]

I would like to see a politics/current affairs room, as long as it was moderated well and there were clear rules which were adhiered to, i would see any problem

[Boggy1 45]

What I would really really like is a News Forum. Something where you can post local, international and wordwide news.
It would really clear up the Off-topic section and I'm sure there would be enough news stories to start of a News Forum.

As for Politics...to be honest I dont think that is a good idea. I, myself, wouldnt even be able to try and convince someone that my political view is 'The Best' view and that their's is wrong.

[Jasoncw 11,839]

The only time you make/divide a forum is if it's so busy that it's hard to see new posts/threads, confusing, or if there isn't a place for a certain topic already.

There aren't any topics that pop up frequently enough in the off topic forum to make a sub-forum for it. 4 threads were bumped yesterday, the off topic forum isn't very busy to begin with.

And if forums with less members have a more active off topic section, then why is Simtropolises so small, and how does making new forums fix that? If you make it they will not neccecarily come.

But I do think that the architecture forum should get moved to the community area.

The City Journals need their own forum with some subforums. I don't know what the subforums would be though.

[Compromise 1]

Looking at everything said so far I think most people would support a new forum like SimCity Central has called History, Politics and Current Events . A more serious discussion on news in the world with a bit of politics thrown in as a subsidery to the main off topic forum. Unfortunatley this type of discussion is currentley against forum rules so there is a lot of convincing to the dirktator to do.

[SamFlash 0]

Leave politics out of it.  All it will do is inflame passions and cause problems and hard feelings between members.  Let's remember why we joined here to start with and that is wrapped around SC4.  No one joined because the off-topic forum was so great.  The off topic form(s) should be fun and add to the sense of community that we have here.  Dirk has done a great job here by keeping politics out of it to this point and I don't see any reason to change that policy. 

[vidioman 21]

Date: 12/7/2005 2:48:44 PM

Author: Jasoncw

The City Journals need their own forum with some subforums. I don't know what the subforums would be though.

 

[Compromise 1]

Well actually politics has never been completley off ST as in my newbie days I desided to start political thread  here about the General Election UK: 2005. I think of it now as more of a test, was it successful? In my opinion yes but probabley only because it was UK politics and only a handful of ST people are British so if it was American politics the result could have been very different.

 

My thoughts on politics on ST overall are netural, I wouden't mind it been around but I am not desprate for it either.

[your_adress_here 11]

Date: 12/7/2005 3:37:10 PM Author: SamFlash All it will do is inflame passions and cause problems and hard feelings between members

quote>

 

And confuse me!

 

 

No one joined because the off-topic forum was so great

quote>

 

And whilst I didn't join because of the Off-Topic, I wouldn't be here without it.

[toxicpiano 125]

to add to vidios list, a music forum might be good, perhaps an art one. i would certainly like a politics/current affairs forum. hmmm...

[the_new_simman 5]

Date: 12/7/2005 1:14:26 PM Author: vidioman

Date: 12/7/2005 1:00:55 PM Author: dev

Date: 12/7/2005 12:44:48 PM Author: vidioman Off Topic should be divided into several sections Off Topic in general Hobbies/food etc. Architecture forum History/Politics/Current Events Computer/Technology Forum games Community goings-on they'd get people going to them. Itd keep the whole thing more organised. And we dont need a politics section, if it wont work. It would require constant moderation. We're just to immature for it I think the architecture forum should be moved into the off topic seciton, though, since I never look at the simcity part anymore, I only post here for my BAT thread and off topic, and the occasional spammy post elsewhere. It wouldnt amke it a ghost town, it would show thqt there is more happening in off topic. We have 100,000 members, it should work. I know forums with only 6000 members that have giant off topic sections.

I think allowing political debate would be a very good thing for SimTropolis. As long as moderation was fair...(example...Conservative Mod, Liberal Mod) I think it would be a good addition to the site since politics is my favorite subject. I would become and addict to a History/Politics/Current Events forum...I wanna see that happen!

dont bring conservativsm and liberalism into this either. If thart were the case, we'd also need a libertairan, fascist, anarchist, communist, and authoritairian mods,too. We just need someone that can stop a diuscussion when it gets too flame-war-y, and curb extremsim.

I agree, we would need a non-biased person like me! ...or like Barbula.

 

But. I'm all for the political forum.

 

SYSTEM WARS THREAD!

[Micah 16]

Even if they do do this, it will be quite some time because right now they have their hands full with the Trixie Awards.

Oh, and I think a political forum would probably become the most viewed in a matter of weeks!! But I really doubt they will make a political thread.

[vidioman 21]

Aww, you think you and barbula have strong opinions

that's cute! This forum hasn't seen my opinionated wrath!

And it probably wont.

(there's actually a member called barby, so that nick name wont work..)

[the_new_simman 5]

Date: 12/7/2005 6:09:08 PM Author: vidioman Aww, you think you and barbula have strong opinions that's cute! This forum hasn't seen my opinionated wrath! And it probably wont. (there's actually a member called barby, so that nick name wont work..)

quote>

Actually I wanna a Political Forum really bad...I wanna debate. Anyway, the person doesn't HAVE to be non-biased, but just has to be fair.

[vidioman 21]

Date: 12/7/2005 6:12:43 PM
Author: the_new_simman

Date: 12/7/2005 6:09:08 PM Author: vidioman Aww, you think you and barbula have strong opinions that's cute! This forum hasn't seen my opinionated wrath! And it probably wont. (there's actually a member called barby, so that nick name wont work..)

quote>

Actually I wanna a Political Forum really bad...I wanna debate. Anyway, the person doesn't HAVE to be non-biased, but just has to be fair.

quote>

There is no such thing as a non-biased person, simmy.

There are good debates at Simcitycentral if this fall through. we also get into heated discussion at SkyscraperCity, but the language there might be too much for your small ears

I've almost been banned, like, 50 times there in the past 3 weeks but enough of that.

The arts stuff could be put into hobbies etc. section.

We should also have an archive section, to put closed threads, (especially the good flamewars and political debates, they're a fun read afterwards, arent they? People say the darndest things, dont they?)

Yeah.. anyway.

[Jasoncw 11,839]

Some forums have a forum called Thread Hell where all bad threads go after being locked or instead of being deleted. Sometimes the archives are called heaven. I think it's cool, but Simtropolis isn't kind of site for it. Some sites have something like flame war zone which would be the only un-moderated forum, where anything goes, but that definitaly isn't for Simtropolis either.

But if there are debates and a few people develop some grudges, so what? I'd rather get to know everyone alot better and then find out that I don't really like a few people based on their views than barely know anyone and be indifferent to most people. Most of the conversation on the forums is small talk, or meaningless cool! me too. Plus we have such a diverse community, and debates let everyone express themselves, and other people can learn about other perspectives. Once, on this other forum me and this other person dominated this one thread that was debating about something, and even though we still disagreed we learnt things, appreciated the quality of the debate, and we ended up being friends for a little while.

I think we'd be a closer community if we were allowed to talk about the bigger things, not just Cool building! I like how you put that tree there! or I think SC5 should be in 3-D We'd get to know eachother alot less superficially.

But I still think all of these things should stay in the normal off topic forum untill they're big enough for their own forum.

[vidioman 21]

I don't keep grudge, actually. The only people I really ahte are KGB and Woor20. Dale, well... he's a bit of a sticky issue. It's fun to bug him, but he's coo'.

there is one forumer here that I dont like, but he hasnt posted in about 3 weeks.

I dont think ST should have an anything-goes forum (think of the children!) but politics should be fine as long as we dont get people bashing eachother because of it. Like the closet. Subbie said I think homosexuality is wrong and it shouldnt be allowed on this site then someone would say your wrong, its okay! and about 20 people would agree, then he'd repost a few days later, and people would come back at that, and then unanimously agree, it fizzled out.

Thats a good debate!

[dev 47]

Vid - Really, conservative and liberal are the base of all political views...You have one slanted right...left...or more central...libertarian is somewhat conservative, etc. I just think having a mod for each of the two major political views would be best so it could be proven moderation is unbiased. The ideal mods would be Dalai and Barbula...but since both have had RLS or left, it wouldn't work. So Ann Coulter and Michael Moore would be good mods if dirk would be interested in hiring them...(boy what fun would that be )

boggy - Maybe you can't prove you're right because you aren't?

To those who don't think a political forum would work...I think it would. Of course you would have some imbeciles say, BUSH IS A @#$(@(@ AND A NAZI!!!!!1111!!oNe!! or TED KENNEDY IS A @#@$$$#@% AND A NAZI!!!onE!!!!111!!

Immaturity would come out in any political discussion, but most of our members know how to correctly conduct themself. I get angry when I read uninformed and silly liberal writings...but you get the same anger when you read something I write. It's all opinion...just one of us is right. (no pun intended )

Anyways in closing I say that the admins should reconsider the no politics rule...I see ST moving in a progressive direction (one time I agree with liberalism). I think ST is ready for some sophisticated political debate. Sure it'll be heated, but I think it could easily keep from becoming a flame war.

[Jasoncw 11,839]

If they can't be unbiased in their moderating than they should have never been promoted to mod in the first place.

I don't think mods would be a problem though. It's not like the mods will only moderate the opposite viewpoint or anything, and if they did, the member would report it and they'd no longer be mods.

And if the mods were chosen based off their political stance, then the best ones would be the ones who no one knows their side, or at least the ones who don't care/undecided, or maybe have decided to be in the middle ground.

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

I still think that the idea for a CJ goings on forum that Nugget and I had was a really good idea.

[Boggy1 45]

Dev: Yeah you probably right. My views are not the only good views. But neither are yours. No political view is the right or good view.

All they are is a mixture of Left Libertarian, Right Libertarian, Left Authoritarian and Right Authoritarian.

[Meg 368]

Date: 12/7/2005 9:10:21 PM Author: vidioman 

. .  I dont think ST should have an anything-goes forum (think of the children!) but politics should be fine as long as we dont get people bashing eachother because of it. . . . 

quote>

 

If . . . and I do mean if . . . we have future discussions of this nature, it would have be based on the rule that we discuss the issues and not each other.

 

For instance, if Curly thinks X is a good idea and Moe thinks Y is a good idea, they could discuss the various merits of X versus Y.   But Curly can't call Moe a bleepity-bleep because Moe doesn't agree.

 

Some people can have this kind of discussion, at least for a short period of time.  Others can't resist throwing darts at people who believe differently.

 

The political viewpoints of the moderators shouldn't be an issue.  Either the participants are discussing the issues or they aren't.  Name calling, baiting, and other forms of flaming aren't allowed no matter what the moderator thinks of the point of view of the person who wrote the post.

 

At any rate, the admin staff isn't going to stop counting trixies to deal with this right now.  I agree it's an interesting idea, though.   Perhaps not practical, but interesting.

[choco1 4]

Maybe if people get too crazy about the politics thing and start flaming, you could just ban them from the politics forum. Thats if they are usually a friendly person on Simtropolis. I think it would be good, if it worked, but if it didn't it could be a serious mistake.