A few suggestions

[GARUD]

Okay, I have a few suggestions about this board, because every time I see a new person sign-up, they make a thread about garbage and usually do very spammy posts (I should know. My fifth post was spam, to which I double posted afterwards.).

1) Sticky Threads: Threads that are stickied, in my opinion, should have a different colour, font type, or size. It attracts the eye better, so new people will look at the rules of the thread first more often. I think it will guarrentee that people will be less spammy, and more tolerant about their posts. Less spam and less flaming = mods

2) New members: After I signed up earlier in 2005, I went straight for the 8-bit thread bypassing the rules thread. The majority of people do this and I think to stop it, new posters should be asigned to a user group. And that user group only has access to the rules section. After a certain amount of time (two hours maybe) they will be removed from the group and be allowed to ram the threads. Alternatively, you could put up a whole page right after sign-up to link new members to the rules forum right away.

3) New member threads: I have noticed that new members will (more often than not) post a thread about 8-bit or garbage in either an inappropriate thread, or have it posted in a spammy way. Then, like vultures, (some of) the members of NPF will descend on the n00b to accuse him of not reading the rules or being a jerk. They may be right, but the way they say it sometimes is downright mean and derogatory (a few have been helpful though). Sometimes, he/she will fight back and end up breaking a few rules... and them find themselves on the wrong end of a ban/probation/bad rep stick. The solution I suggest for this is that new members should only be able to make threads after a certain amount of posts that are fair (maybe 25-50?).

4) Rep: The rep system, as a basis of disciplin was a very good idea. However, I feel that different levels of rep should have a different colour (eg Disco style Aura-yellow, Better shape up- Black etc). There are different levels that the green colour is used for. Also, i think that there should be a viewable rep number in you cp that tells you exactly how much you have gotten, lost and currently have total, although, the exact number should not be public.

5) Redemption: I have noticed, that sometimes people get banned for making stupid mistakes. Mistakes that will eventually add up. What If I had just enough rep to be above ban and then two years and 2000 posts later, I make a simple mistake, and get banned because of something I did two years ago. There should be a time after offenses that people can be redeemed for being extra good, where their rep can be repaired to Neutral (not above it though). Also, I think that there shouldd be a second strike rule (first strike being full negative rep and perma-ban). The second strike is a chance for forumers to redeem a perpretrator if they wish, and to give them one last chance after experiencing a time ban. There should be no rep recovery for the person who is second striked though.

These are only suggestions, and don't have to be taken into account if not valid. Also, don't shoot me down for them because I'm just trying to make the forums a slightly better place for us to chat and have fun .