Forum Suggestions & User Assistance - RE: THEN, why not merge all of the other race threads?!

Mostly a lurker here, want to chime in on the thread merging issue.

I too have noticed this- excessive merging of threads, movement of threads, closures, deletions, etc. Not just on this forum but others. For some reason there is a pre-occupation on the part of mods and administrators with micromanaging the way in which people interact online. Some things are better left to run their natural course. If redundant threads are created, they'll die off and drop down on the page and be gone. When big issues like doping scandals flare up, it seems pointless to attempt to extinguish them when 1) it's difficult as hell to repress discussion of such a compelling issue and 2) the topic will wear out and die once people get bored of talking about it, which will occur earlier if people can speak freely about it. It's just counterproductive to run things this way.

The most successful boards I've seen have been ones that take a sort of laissez faire approach to regulating poster conduct. The members generally police themselves and discussions are driven naturally by the level of collective interest people have in that issue. Problems like trolls and reposts and inappropriateness happen but ultimately fall to the wayside as temporary inconveniences. On the other hand I've seen other forums ruined by excessive moderation. One has even shut down completely despite being very highly trafficked. Problem- too many returning trolls pissed off about bans, too much discontent, too many mods, too many rules.

I once had an English teacher who said 'the more rules you make, the more you have to enforce.' Pretty wise words to live by, he's the district superintendent now and very well liked.

Anyway, just my 2 cents. That is all. :o

The mods act when people complain. A bunch of threads in inappropriate locations tend to get merged into a single thread in the appropriate location. Deal with it.

Merging with other criticism threads. :innocent:

Your point is taken, but what has happened in the past is that so many separate threads have been created that other members complained that threads that contained discussion of things other than doping were getting pushed back a page or two. The other problem was that there was a lot of speculation about doping, and arguments being instigated inside threads that others were attempting to discuss the races in.

We don't dismiss others' opinions out of hand, and it sounds like you may have some constructive suggestions. If you haven't already made some of them in the suggestions sub-forum, please consider it. That is much more visible to the site administrators, and it is they who more appropriately consider matters that span forums.

Thanks,

Z

Yeah, but the merging of the threads complaints have gone the other way. Far, far, far more people are complaining that the threads are merged. I agree with the poster and the other people complaining of the thread merging. The merging is so subjective and many people feel that threads are merged because the topic involves allegations of Armstrong drug usage.

I see about 20 threads with less than 5 posts each on daily updates for the Giro. Why not merge those?
I see multiple threads on the Tour of Cali, individual stages, breakaways, etc. Why not merge those?

Get the point? The only threads that are being merged are the Floyd Landis / Lance Armstrong drug allegations. Do you see now why so many people are complaining about this subversive form of censorship?

Shouldn't this thread be in Forum Suggestions and User Assistance?
Tweeeet! Tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

... Far, far, far more people are complaining that the threads are merged....

You have no way of knowing, and from what gets reported to us, are incorrect. Please set this childishness aside.

The mods act when people complain. A bunch of threads in inappropriate locations tend to get merged into a single thread in the appropriate location. Deal with it.

This is correct. Thank you, umd.


Far, far, far more people are complaining that the threads are merged.

In all honesty, I'd really like to see a copy of the reported posts back stage that you see that I am unable to. According to my files, I see more of the opposite. But then again, If you are privy to such information, I am concerned that, as administrator, I am not.

Will you please forward to me the reports, dates and times of these? I will take appropriate action if need be.

I appreciate it, thank you.

Siu Blue Wind
Forum Admin.

Shouldn't this thread be in Forum Suggestions and User Assistance?
Tweeeet! Tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

True, thank you.

Moving to User Assistance from Professional Cycling.

There are threads for individual stages so that events can be discussed without spoiling future results that have not been seen. Why is that so hard for some of you to understand?

holy i was only joking

This is correct. Thank you, umd.



In all honesty, I'd really like to see a copy of the reported posts back stage that you see that I am unable to. According to my files, I see more of the opposite. But then again, If you are privy to such information, I am concerned that, as administrator, I am not.

Will you please forward to me the reports, dates and times of these? I will take appropriate action if need be.

I appreciate it, thank you.

Siu Blue Wind
Forum Admin.



It is no exaggeration that far more people have complained about the thread merging that those that have not. How would I be able to easily find it though. The threads were merged into the mega 20+ page thread. I mean. Come on. People complained publicly on the forum. The original poster complained. I complained. Other people in the mega thread complained.

Mods made their choice and didn't listen to the masses. Do a poll on the front page to see and I bet you that it would be heavily lopsided in favor of those who didn't like the recent thread mergers.

It is no exaggeration that far more people have complained about the thread merging that those that have not. How would I be able to easily find it though. The threads were merged into the mega 20+ page thread. I mean. Come on. People complained publicly on the forum. The original poster complained. I complained. Other people in the mega thread complained.

Mods made their choice and didn't listen to the masses. Do a poll on the front page to see and I bet you that it would be heavily lopsided in favor of those who didn't like the recent thread mergers.

People complain by reporting posts. You only see the public complaints. The real complaints are the ones the mods see.

It is no exaggeration that far more people have complained about the thread merging that those that have not. How would I be able to easily find it though. The threads were merged into the mega 20+ page thread. I mean. Come on. People complained publicly on the forum. The original poster complained. I complained. Other people in the mega thread complained.

Mods made their choice and didn't listen to the masses. Do a poll on the front page to see and I bet you that it would be heavily lopsided in favor of those who didn't like the recent thread mergers.

Oh okay. I thought you had some solid ground and proof here regarding the complaints back stage about the merge vs how many complained about new threads on the same subject. You had me worried there for a second.


People complain by reporting posts. You only see the public complaints. The real complaints are the ones the mods see.

Indeed you understand how it works here. Thank you again, umd. :)