On Thread Tags

[Funka Genocide]

They're fun, I guess. But making them a necessity seems needlessly nitpicky and pretty much useless. I don't think anyone really cares or sees any benefit in their mandated usage.

[Fenris]

Added a tag to this thread.

[Funka Genocide]

Yeah, pure comedy gold there I'm sure.

Anyways, my main point is that adding a needlessly procedural rule like mandatory thread tagging makes the forums less user friendly as opposed to more user friendly, which I assume was the purpose behind the rule in the first place.

[Fenris]

I don't really see how asking people to click one extra time is a terribly huge inconvenience tbh.

It's more convenient for setting tone in discussion-oriented threads and categorizing media-related ones. It's a simple way for somebody to say "hey I want this thread to be kept on topic, so don't come in here with your wild threadjacking antics" or "hey I don't really care about how on topic this thread ends up" or "hey this is about the video game, not the movie the game's based off of" or any number of related things.

[Funka Genocide]

Yeah or you could actually enforce spam related rules and allow people to espouse their desires for the thread with words. I mean leave the option available sure, but how long has this rule been in effect and you're still having to "correct" regular, long term users.

It just seems like a waste of time that's more aggravating than anything.

[Fenris]

Yeah or you could actually enforce spam related rules

Have you like, actually been paying attention to the moderating that's been going on or what? Because pretty much the only rules that have had to be enforced lately are spam rules because y'all have been acting unusually civilly lately.

Not that I'm complaining, mind.

It just seems like a waste of time that's more aggravating than anything.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a121/NuklearFenris/Emoticons/emot-saddowns1.gif

[Funka Genocide]

If your argument is that the thread tags make the reader more aware of the tone of the thread and thus dictate how "on topic" said thread is, then this would suggest that you're relying on a thread tag to dissuade spam.

Anyways its just one users gripe, I'd say put it to a vote but I assume that's not really an option. Just something I thought I'd bring to people's attention and see if anyone in a position to do something about it would.

[Fenris]

If your argument is that the thread tags make the reader more aware of the tone of the thread and thus dictate how "on topic" said thread is, then this would suggest that you're relying on a thread tag to dissuade spam.

It would also suggest that it's working.

[synkr0nized]

I'm with funka on this, actually. Making the neat tag images available and seeing them in use is great, but being mad at users for not doing them or forgetting to, etc. is pretty silly. I mean, I haven't ever touched an OP for a thread tag/image yet outside of requests, but perhaps you and Meister feel strongly about their use?

[POS Industries]

I'd say put it to a vote
And it's on like Michelle Kwan.

[Kim]

I cannot vote for "Making Fenris look like an anal-retentive douchebag" and "Making Funka look like a whiny douchebag"

Clearly this is an awful poll.

[Fenris]

I'm with funka on this, actually. Making the neat tag images available and seeing them in use is great, but being mad at users for not doing them or forgetting to, etc. is pretty silly. I mean, I haven't ever touched an OP for a thread tag/image yet outside of requests, but perhaps you and Meister feel strongly about their use?

I really think that y'all are interpreting my posts too harshly-I'm not actually mad about people forgetting to add tags. Hell, I do it on about 80% of the threads that I make. (The difference being that I edit my threads to include a tag afterwards, although I think that doesn't update the main page when somebody other than a moderator does it-I should check on that.) I just find that they make the forum a lot more user-friendly when sifting through stuff.

The one thing that does get on my nerves is when I have to figure out what somebody's talking about in Media Consumption. How the hell am I supposed to know if Moon Reaper Super Soldiers or whatever the fuck is a comic, television show, movie, or whatevs?

On another note, I fiddled with the poll results to make them a bit more accurate.

[POS Industries]

I cannot vote for "Making Fenris look like an anal-retentive douchebag" and "Making Funka look like a whiny douchebag"

Clearly this is an awful poll.
PICK A SIDE. WE'RE AT WAR.

[synkr0nized]

I really think that y'all are interpreting my posts too harshly-

Probably?
I guess I read too much into the yellow-posting about it recently and then telling Funka to "shut the fuck up" twice, albeit with an old image at first, as being genuinely annoyed.

[Fenris]

Probably?
I guess I read too much into the yellow-posting about it recently and then telling Funka to "shut the fuck up" twice, albeit with an old image at first, as being genuinely annoyed.

No see I don't mind him asking why thread tags, I just mind him asking why thread tags in a thread about dreams.

In case it's not apparent-yellow posts of mine are like mod warnings or hints (as in wink wink nudge nudge hints), red posts are when I'm actually putting the hammer down for anything that's severe.

[synkr0nized]

Oh, you kids and your crazy colors. I mean, who does that?

In other news, :crossarms:

[Fenris]

Speaking of tags, if any of y'all want to whip up a poll thread tag that is even with the rest of them, I'll go ahead and swap out the images in the database to sate my OCD nature when it comes to uniformity.

[synkr0nized]

http://home.comcast.net/~synkr0nized/poll.gif

[Geminex]

Can't resist the kitty snuggles.

Anyway...
I don't think the tags really have much of a purpose.
They're fun, mind you!
But in regards to informing users about the thread topic?
Naaaah.

Mostly because usually, the original post is written well enough that it already contains what you need to know. The tone of that post should be (and usually is) sufficient to indicate how OPs want their threads to go, what their intention is. You aren't gonna be making wacky jokes if you want a serious discussion and you aren't gonna be discussing the implications of a news event if you want a fun thread. And usually, the OP's also descriptive enough that the topic of the post is fairly clear. There's really no need for the tag to be mandatory, I think.

But like I said, they're fun and can round off posts quite nicely. Encourage people to use them, by all means. And I think you could make an argument that they make the mods' jobs a bit easier. But I don't think they're necessary for the users.

Edit:
In other words, if other users need a thread tag to see what your thread is about, you should be rewriting the OP, rather than adding a thread tag.

[A Zarkin' Frood]

I don't really pay much attention to the tags outside from the Media Consumption forum. Or rather, I only pay attention to the media based ones because I never even visit the Media Consumption forum since I'm one of those guys who just click on "New Posts" all the time.

Oh, and Lolitrollu threads. Those are generally fun.

[krogothwolf]

Do you think anyone will learn the polls in NPF are pointless as everyone answers them stupidly.

Man, I didn't even know we had 99,996 members of NPF!

[Aldurin]

Do you think anyone will learn the polls in NPF are pointless as everyone answers them stupidly.

Man, I didn't even know we had 99,996 members of NPF!

For a moment there I thought someone purposely multiplied my vote.

[Meister]

I'm with funka on this, actually. Making the neat tag images available and seeing them in use is great, but being mad at users for not doing them or forgetting to, etc. is pretty silly. I mean, I haven't ever touched an OP for a thread tag/image yet outside of requests, but perhaps you and Meister feel strongly about their use?
Naw, not me. I mean, I like them, I think they're very useful, and I think every thread should have one but the forum doesn't exactly break down when some threads don't so whatever.

that said ideally we'd have a way to filter thread view by tags so you can go into Media Consumption and only view all threads about movies and while that is something we've been playing around with in the past it's kind of fallen by the wayside lately, so right now we have the tags implemented as icons and that's probably what they're going to stay implemented as because you guys don't make so many new threads that there's a danger of getting lost.

[Funka Genocide]

Well its hard to get an accurate poll with titillating options like those available. I mean honestly, kitty snuggles even beat out Conan last time they were available.

I sort of knew this tactic would be employed, taking the voting public away from the important topics. You guys are such Republicans.

Also I'll be expecting my kitty snuggles promptly.

[Fifthfiend]

being mad at users for not doing them or forgetting to, etc. is pretty silly.

Basically this. Thread tags are nice but they're nice in inverse proportion to the extent to which people take them seriously or make a whole huge deal over whether threads are tagged.

Especially given that people can't edit them after the fact, so if you forget this easily overlooked thing it's not even like you can go back and correct yourself like you can with post content and such.

[Funka Genocide]

Also yeah what Fifth said. I really rather enjoy the option of thread tags to be honest, its just I really rather don't enjoy seeing people getting bitched out for forgetting them. That's really the whole point of this thread. (Well my whole point I guess, others could have their own points which would be equally valid.)

[Kim]

Also if you are gonna make a whole huge deal about them, you may as well make it so that people can edit them after their threads go up. Getting on people for an easy-to-overlook thing is extra-weak when they can't even go back and do anything about it after they've caught an error.

This. I actually tried to go back an add a tag one time, but of course I couldn't because I caught it too late, so then I stopped trying.

[Krylo]

Well my whole point I guess, others could have their own points which would be equally valid.

Where's the real Funka Genocide and what have you done with him?

[Funka Genocide]

I try not to deny the validity of other people's arguments.

I just think for the most part they are stupid.

[Krylo]

other people's arguments [...] are stupid.
Ah, there he is.

ALSO: I guess what we should take away from this is that Fenris should maybe just leave his text white when adding tags and instead of saying, "ADDED TAG TO THREAD ROBOT VOICE" he should do more of a, "Hey, just tossed a tag on there for you"? Same way we might do when correcting a typo on someone's thread.

Or just not do it in the first place.

That'd work too.

[DarkDrgon]

If you catch it quick you can edit it in. I always forget, but I don't like the yellow text all up in mah grill, so I throw it up once I finish.

Unless I'm the only one that can see it. I put the music tag in my most recent thread about 5 minutes after posting it, so maybe I'm wrong.

[Fenris]

(The difference being that I edit my threads to include a tag afterwards, although I think that doesn't update the main page when somebody other than a moderator does it-I should check on that.)

Well I guess that answers that question.

I'll look into things to see what I can do to make that happen for you guys.

[krogothwolf]

I don't really know why you even need to tell em you put it in, it's nice and all but the second post being "edited to put tag in" seems almost pointless.

[Fenris]

I don't really know why you even need to tell em you put it in, it's nice and all but the second post being "edited to put tag in" seems almost pointless.

It's a reminder for them to do it themselves the next time they make a thread, at least that's the purpose behind it. Whether or not it works varies from poster to poster.

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

I rarely make threads, but I usually try to include a tag. I like them.

[pochercoaster]

I don't even notice tags. I don't see why all threads MUST have a tag unless we have some option that makes it useful, i.e. viewing threads with only certain tags, (and even then it shouldn't be mandatory) otherwise it's just an image that's barely noticed.

Like it just seems pretty anal. Like if you organized your pantry alphabetically or something and you get upset when something is slightly out of order. We're not robots that break down when one variable is wrong.

[bluestarultor]

I'm going to offer my assistance if it's needed on solving the "not being able to edit the things later" issue. I don't actually mind thread tags and find them pretty useful, but I'm terrible about remembering to include them. Plus, it'll take a load off Fen if we can just go in and change them ourselves.

[Grimpond]

seil tags are the bestest tags

[Aldurin]

seil tags are the bestest tags

We should have a Fenris tag to warn people that there are posts in the thread regarding to the former lack of a tag on said thread.

Just sayin'.

[Kim]

We need Zack tags for talking about eighties movies.

[Grimpond]

We need Zack tags for talking about eighties movies.

:cool:

[Loyal]

I'm going to offer my assistance if it's needed on solving the "not being able to edit the things later" issue. I don't actually mind thread tags and find them pretty useful, but I'm terrible about remembering to include them. Plus, it'll take a load off Fen if we can just go in and change them ourselves.Is there any chance we'd be able to edit our own thread titles as well?

[Seil]

I mean basically my feeling is that if Seil threads were ever going to be annoying enough to be worth banning Seil, it would have happened years ago, so inasmuch as he - and this amazes me - consistently uses the Seil tag to tag those threads that are unarguably Seil threads (while - and this amazes me more - not using the Seil tag for those occasional times when he posts threads that aren't of that special subgenre known as the Seil Thread) we may as well get off his nuts for like... being Seil.

.

[Funka Genocide]

I hope you 4 people realize that I'll hunt you down. I will hunt you down and whine SO HARD at you.

[Token]

I hope you 4 people realize that I'll hunt you down. I will hunt you down and whine SO HARD at you.

Bring it.

[Fenris]

Is there any chance we'd be able to edit our own thread titles as well?

I'm looking, but I can't seem to find the option.

[bluestarultor]

I'm looking, but I can't seem to find the option.

There should be one. Unless they removed the option or Gaia has some sort of fancy custom code. Gaia runs on vB and (years ago, back when I was actually on it as a net newb) always let users edit their own titles.

[synkr0nized]

If you want to open that up to users, it's my understanding that you have to increase the time limit for thread titles: "Time Limit on Editing of Thread Title". This would be in the Message Posting and Editing section.

I don't anticipate it'll become a problem, but if this is implemented and I start seeing people dicking around with thread titles -- especially on established threads -- without much reason it may not stick around.

[bluestarultor]

If you want to open that up to users, it's my understanding that you have to increase the time limit for thread titles: "Time Limit on Editing of Thread Title". This would be in the Message Posting and Editing section.

I don't anticipate it'll become a problem, but if this is implemented and I start seeing people dicking around with thread titles -- especially on established threads -- without much reason it may not stick around.

Hell, if Gaia users can manage, I think we're mature enough.

[Seil]

I think we're mature enough.

Do you want an itemized list? Like EdxRoy, Yoda-dog, Xzibit, and ego-maniacal moderation?

[Loyal]

It still compares favorably to Gaia.

[Aldurin]

Whatever works.

[Token]

Do you want an itemized list? Like EdxRoy, Yoda-dog, Xzibit, and ego-maniacal moderation?

I want to see this list.

[Grimpond]

I want to see this list.

I want to see that list too

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

Do you want an itemized list? Like EdxRoy, Yoda-dog, Xzibit, and ego-maniacal moderation?

And every one of your posts.

[Fifthfiend]

And every one of your posts.

he - and this amazes me - consistently uses the Seil tag to tag those threads that are unarguably Seil threads, while - and this amazes me more - not using the Seil tag for those occasional times when he posts threads that aren't of that special subgenre known as the Seil Thread
.

EDIT: Also
we may as well get off his nuts for being Seil
.

[Kim]

EdxRoy

Why aren't there more of these threads?

[Token]

Why aren't there more of these threads?

Because we don't suck as much as we used to.

[Aldurin]

Because we don't suck as much as we used to.
Shhhhhh, part of improvement is forgetting we used to be bad.

[Loyal]

Shhhhhh, part of improvement is forgetting we used to be bad.I don't know what gave you that idea, but that is not how improvement works.

[Fifthfiend]

Because we don't suck as much as we used to.

The great thing about these posts is that they get written just about as often as the posts about how terrible the forum has gotten since The Good Ole Days.

Shhhhhh, part of improvement is forgetting we used to be bad.
http://nuklearforums.com/showpost.php?p=1076379&postcount=42

[Premmy]

The great thing about these posts is that they get written just about as often as the posts about how terrible the forum has gotten since The Good Ole Days.

One man's good ole days is another man's defeat in war.

[Nique]

http://nuklearforums.com/showpost.ph...9&postcount=42

This seems like a good time to bring up that I suspect that EvilEarl is secretly Fifthfiend's alter ego.

[Geminex]

Everyone is Fifthfiend.
Everyone.

No, seriously though, I do not think anyone here could be Evilearl except for Evilearl,, because just as nobody can emulate Seil the way Seil does, EE is an entity in and of himself and nobody and I mean nobody could be as evilearl as evilearl even if they tried really hard and had, like, a 7-year apprenticeship in making Earlposts because goddammit, have you read what he writes he is either genuine and unique and comes from the bottom of his shrivelled-up heart or he is the best fucking actor on the planet.

I mean, Fifth is unique as well, but Earl has a distinctive signature of... well, of earl-ness. Not a very good signature, more the kind shaky X that you find on the bottom of documents signed by illiterate drunks during an earthquake, but a signature nonetheless!
Sorta like Foul Ole Ron, only instead of smell, it's really interesting posts.

That is to say, unmistakable, unique, and it'd show through no matter what he called himself.

[Nique]

You're saying that they each have their own paticular and unmistakeable bouquet? Like the smell of one's own poo - it is unique and exotic.

[Seil]

I am uncomfortable with the thought of my posts as a bouquet of poo.

[Bard The 5th LW]

You mean you just figured it out?

[bluestarultor]

I am uncomfortable with the thought of my posts as a bouquet of poo.

"Bouquet" in this sense means smell. He's just saying your posts stink, not that they're shit wrapped in fancy paper and ribbon. :P

[Nique]

To be fair I was only talking about Fifthfiend and EvilEarl.

The smell of Seil's posts is like the milk in the fridge and the date is getting pretty close so you're not sure if it's bad or not but I mean, there's this bowl of cereal in front of you what are you supposed to do?

Man I could write a book on these.

[Aldurin]

Everyone is Fifthfiend.
Everyone.

No, seriously though, I do not think anyone here could be Evilearl except for Evilearl,, because just as nobody can emulate Seil the way Seil does, EE is an entity in and of himself and nobody and I mean nobody could be as evilearl as evilearl even if they tried really hard and had, like, a 7-year apprenticeship in making Earlposts because goddammit, have you read what he writes he is either genuine and unique and comes from the bottom of his shrivelled-up heart or he is the best fucking actor on the planet.

I mean, Fifth is unique as well, but Earl has a distinctive signature of... well, of earl-ness. Not a very good signature, more the kind shaky X that you find on the bottom of documents signed by illiterate drunks during an earthquake, but a signature nonetheless!
Sorta like Foul Ole Ron, only instead of smell, it's really interesting posts.

That is to say, unmistakable, unique, and it'd show through no matter what he called himself.

It's times like this I have to revel in the irony that my real name isn't Earl.

And Geminex I cannot sig that as the main paragraph alone exceeds the character limit so I either need a condensed version or (if possible) an admin (if willing) to extend the character limit on sigs.

[Seil]

You mean you just figured it out?

I think I was more disgusted with the visual of an actual bouquet of poo.

The smell of Seil's posts is like the milk in the fridge and the date is getting pretty close so you're not sure if it's bad or not but I mean, there's this bowl of cereal in front of you what are you supposed to do?

I should probably respond to this with a linkpost, but I think I'm better than that.

I'm probably, like, two weeks away from the expiration date! That's some good milk right there.

It's times like this I have to revel in the irony that my real name isn't Earl.

And Geminex I cannot sig that as the main paragraph alone exceeds the character limit so I either need a condensed version or (if possible) an admin (if willing) to extend the character limit on sigs.

I remember back in the good 'ol days what when you'd just comment on something in the YouTube links or Funny Pics thread. Now you're all racist and junk:

http://nuklearforums.com/showpost.php?p=1078063&postcount=180

[Nique]

I'm probably, like, two weeks away from the expiration date! That's some good milk right there.


Seil, you are a positive thinker. Thats what I like about you!

I remember back in the good 'ol days what when you'd just comment on something in the YouTube links or Funny Pics thread. Now you're all racist and junk:

Oh snap!

[synkr0nized]

an admin (if willing) to extend the character limit on sigs.

Oh, you kids and your crazy dreams.

[Seil]

Oh, you kids and your crazy dreams.

There's this great Calvin And Hobbes strip that I should link where Calvin calls Ms. Wormwood a monarchist because there's no actual debate to determine what goes on in the class room, it's just a tyrannical reign.

Well, no, not really - there's just this great quote in it. But it's somewhat relevant.

You monarchist.

[Aldurin]

Oh, you kids and your crazy dreams.

That settles it. I'll just wait for a more reasonably sized quote that I like.