Impending Changes - APRIL FOOLS

As you all know the forums will be going through an upgrade soon and Overdrive and Rec are hoping to implement these changes within the next few days. We the moderators have discussed what can be done and we have decided on a number of changes to the way the forum will be managed.

Flame Wars: flame wars has proven to be completely worthless, a haven for spam and stupid shit, it's reemergence has been accompanied by a general degredation in the quality of posts in all other forums. As a result flame wars will be removed during the upcoming changes.

Post Count: This has proven to be far too big an issue for some people, as a result, post counting will be replaced by a user based vote/rating system, this system will be used to determine new moderators.

SPAM: this has become a major aggravation, and we have received too many complaints to ignore. Posts which are off topic, or immatterial will be removed instantly, and reposting will result in account suspension. This includes posts with single word responses, such as "lol" or just quotes. Any badgering of moderators via msn or the like WILL result in account deletion.

Signatures: In order to make the forums more dialup friendly, image signatures will be disabled. Text signatures will be limited to a two line maximum.

Image sizing: Due to the complete ignoring of the image sizing ruling, the strictures have been increased, anyone posting an oversized image will be warned, and the warning recorded. If they break the rule again, they will recieve an immediate 3 day account suspension. This may seem harsh, but apparently noone wants to learn.

Antagonism: Any antagonistic behaviour over the forums will result in 3 day account suspensions for all parties involved. You can have your shitfights over msn. I don't care what you do, but I personally am sick to death of the bitching from all parties involved. Repeated violation (3 offences) will result in an account deletion. This includes image based mockery, if you want to edit someones image in a thread, you will have to ask their permission, this is especially evident over the last few days. If someone asks for their image to be removed, it will be, and the person who posted it will be given a warning for not asking said permission. This will include Harb's crap.

Bitching: any bitching about the forums, moderators, or servers, will now be done via PM's, any public discourse about the above topics will only be allowed in topics started by a moderator (or admin). Repeat offences will again result in account suspension.

Any responses to this should be kept concise and on topic, this is an official moderator started topic, so you may respond TO THE ISSUES AT HAND ONLY

Well now that this is public I'd like to again protest both the signature removal, and the "permission-for-pictures" crap. This is going to make the forums even more boring than they are now. People need to be less sensitive ffs, i've only received like 4 complaints about those comics, and if we pander to every whinger then we might as well just not bother.

Just for a note the rest is good, im sick of the shit on these forums.

I'm for everything in Jay's post. Removing the flame wars sounds good.

Looking forward to seeing the new GU

Cow

well looks like i made my come back @ the right time...lol

sounds a bit harsh, but i spose i haven't been here for a while heh

The image in the sig is stupid..

and I think I know where that came from and its just plain said. Everything else is fine.

Is this a summary of the long touted changes to GU Forums ?

If so I am glad I did not hold my breath :)

Agree with the sig thing

Flame wars ... well its all been said before

Spam - well mods have a delete button

Image sizing - ditto

Antagonism - hmmm this should be good

Bitching - well it only seems to happen once a month thankfully for most but for some it seems to be a permanent issue.

My 2d worth ...

I think it all sounds fair. Except the image in signature restriction. I think it's a great way for the people here to express themselves. C'mon, they aren't at all big. Given they are a jpg they are generally below 40kb.

I mean, you CAN use a different web browser and just have images disabled on this webpage if you are that stingy about it. Sheesh.

Yeah, the image thing sounds good, I have seen quite a few oversized images and even signatures. I can think of a few people who have oversized signatures but nothing has been done.

I didn't want to complain...

Edit: Okay, my signature is a bitmap (it slipped my mine). I can make it a jpg (I just dont think it looks as good.)
What does Antagonism mean?

Google is your friend

Definition: Antagonism
Antagonism
Noun
1. A state of deep-seated ill-will.

2. The relation between opposing principles or forces or factors; "the inherent antagonism of capitalism and socialism".

3. An actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility.

4. (biochemistry) interference in or inhibition of the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure.

ok fair enough getting rid of spam(alan) and fair enough getting rid of flame wars but why do we have to be dial up friendally.. like 70% of gu is adsl or cable.. i think the du people can live with pic sigs being there and WTF with the image size. fuck its just eaiser to link it just make it so if its over a certin limit of TOTAL SIZE as in kb and mb it has to be uploaded..

out of curiousity, how does the rating system work?

Hmmm. sig image restrictions hey.

Here's just a few examples:

my sig, 20kb.
Metals, 15kb.
Unseens, 2kb.
Heretics, 20kb.
Milenko's, 23kb.

Hell, avatar's are usually 6 - 10kb. Why not have an option to display or disable sigs to the end user...?

Agree with Harb on all points, generally the new rules seem alright except I'm a bit skeptical about the rating system....

Im personally not fussed on the Signature restrictions, but i dont agree with the 'asking permission' thing. Harb didnt ask my permission to use me in his comics, but its all intended in humour and damn its funny.

People gotta be able to laugh at themselves :)

Quote from Seqo:

my sig, 20kb.
Metals, 15kb.
Unseens, 2kb.
Heretics, 20kb.
Milenko's, 23kb.

.

w00t w00t I win

Delete all the forums and make One new one.

no comment

I agree with Harb about most points, however I would like more information about the ratig system...

Quote from Jay:
As you all know the forums will be going through an upgrade soon and Overdrive and Rec are hoping to implement these changes within the next few days. We the moderators have discussed what can be done and we have decided on a number of changes to the way the forum will be managed.
Fair Enough.
Quote from Jay:
Flame Wars: flame wars has proven to be completely worthless, a haven for spam and stupid shit, it's reemergence has been accompanied by a general degredation in the quality of posts in all other forums. As a result flame wars will be removed during the upcoming changes.
Isn't this the point of flame wars??
Quote from Jay:
Post Count: This has proven to be far too big an issue for some people, as a result, post counting will be replaced by a user based vote/rating system, this system will be used to determine new moderators.
Would like to know more about this system. But can't we just laugh at those people who care so much about their precious post counts?
Quote from Jay:
SPAM: this has become a major aggravation, and we have received too many complaints to ignore. Posts which are off topic, or immatterial will be removed instantly, and reposting will result in account suspension. This includes posts with single word responses, such as "lol" or just quotes. Any badgering of moderators via msn or the like WILL result in account deletion.
Agreed.
Quote from Jay:
Signatures: In order to make the forums more dialup friendly, image signatures will be disabled. Text signatures will be limited to a two line maximum.
Totally Useless. Most of GU browsers have ADSL, Dial-up users can turn images off if they are a problem.. maybe restrict image signature size.. but not removal.. Talk about going backwards.
Quote from Jay:
Image sizing: Due to the complete ignoring of the image sizing ruling, the strictures have been increased, anyone posting an oversized image will be warned, and the warning recorded. If they break the rule again, they will recieve an immediate 3 day account suspension. This may seem harsh, but apparently noone wants to learn.
Very Strict.. but whatever floats your boat.
Quote from Jay:
Antagonism: Any antagonistic behaviour over the forums will result in 3 day account suspensions for all parties involved. You can have your shitfights over msn. I don't care what you do, but I personally am sick to death of the bitching from all parties involved. Repeated violation (3 offences) will result in an account deletion. This includes image based mockery, if you want to edit someones image in a thread, you will have to ask their permission, this is especially evident over the last few days. If someone asks for their image to be removed, it will be, and the person who posted it will be given a warning for not asking said permission. This will include Harb's crap.
Why don't you just make it so any post we want to make has to be approved my a moderator before we post it?
Can't people just lighten up.. fair enough there has to be a line drawn, and that line shouldn't be crossed.. but you've drawn the line right under our shoes here.
Quote from Jay:
Bitching: any bitching about the forums, moderators, or servers, will now be done via PM's, any public discourse about the above topics will only be allowed in topics started by a moderator (or admin). Repeat offences will again result in account suspension.
Depends what we all consider bitching now doesn't it...

well seeming that i wont be bale to bitch next week without being punished like a 5 year old. i'll take this time to say i think those rules are shite.
but if i dont like it i can stay or go. personally i think this is a community not a preschool and this is ripping away a hell of alot of freedom. but your the boss's.

the rating system is basically what it says. if you like the person, click on the user and you vote for them, like a poll.... if they are liked then they get half a star, full star. ect ect.... things like that.
which i'll also bitch about, saying its as bad as the post count argument. it will turn it into a freakin popularity contest.....

k. done now.

Quote from BurkynYurkyn:

[quote:4fbc5ddfe2="Jay"]Post Count: This has proven to be far too big an issue for some people, as a result, post counting will be replaced by a user based vote/rating system, this system will be used to determine new moderators.
Would like to know more about this system. But can't we just laugh at those people who care so much about their precious post counts?[/quote:4fbc5ddfe2]
what a rediculas (spelling) idea imo
its just saying to users hay lets vote for who we all love the best so that person can feel good about themselfs
stupid i think

^

Agreed Lilu about the rating system. It's been done before in this forum IIRC. It didn't work very well.

it is missing the entire point of being able to pick moderators. Person with most friends = Mod... wow, that'll work.

To add to Knight... obviously those that take their post count too seriously will more than likely take their rating too seriously as well. This could be bad, especially for those that are either a.) too unstable as it is or b.) have a big enough ego as it is.

well put seqo i totall dissagree with this rating system
if you want new mods have a discussion about it in the mod's forum and all try to agree on someone that would fit the job
personaly i think there is enough mods as it is

also as lilu said this isnt a primar school, whats with all the new rules? this isnt a kiddy comumtity, it was established for mature gamers ther is a little thing when we sign up asking if we are 13+ if im not mistaken
so why all the rubbish about taking of flame wars and so on

yeah, i agree with knight about the mod part... all true.

i know its been discussed a million times in the flame wars debate. but is there anywhere that we could just all come to hang out? like what i find in flame wars is that it is where people post usless stuff... granted..... but alot of people go there to let off steam about their day and such. and if they are feeling down or whatever they write it out so really flame wars is kinda theraputic!
or make a 16 plus area and just not moderate it? because if your doing this to make it family safe, well your out of luck guys, because if you look around its not just flame wars that has language and material not suitable for kids....

Short version down bottom

I don't mind seeing the go of Flame Wars... I would like to see it stay though. That has the best discussions, and it's great to let off steam.

I understand the whole 'image restriction' thing, strict as it might seem. Not many people have taken notice to it.

I want to see the signature's stay, definitely.

The popularity rating is dumb. I've seen it in effect in some forums. People change. What if someone doesn't like a post I make... oops, minus rating to you. Can I ever get that back? The post count is fine, I think most people are over it now. Noone really seems to care what there post count is.

I think this forum is fine at the moment. Yeah, every now and then people have there arguements. It's not too often though. It gives you moderators something to do... otherwise, what else would you be doing?

And still... noone should need to ask permission. Most of it is down onto longer term members... we get to know each other. I made the mistake once of taking something to heart (my bad Matt)... but i learnt from that. If someone wants to feature me in an image, go ahead =) it makes me more popular!! :)

In short:
Flame Wars: [Stay]
Signatures: [Stay]
Post Count: [Definite Stay]
Asking Permission: [No]
Image posting restrictions: [Go for it]

the next extreme... make it so only moderators can post, we can all just read..

or only mods can start topics, forum users can only reply.

censorship is stupid. there's always going to be people posting stupid shit.. that's why we have moderators.

Everyone just put a disclaimer in their Signature.

HAHAHA i love it

I KNOW WHATS GOING ON NOW MODERATORS
YOU FUCKERS

:?

umm.. Knight.. i think that was a bit over the top.

It's not over the top... if you have a clue. *looks at the month, AND DAY.

Of all people, Knight got it first. That says a lot about this community. ;P

no it isnt
they will know what im on about
you guys dont at the present time
but im sure you will soon enough

Quote from rec:
It's not over the top... if you have a clue. *looks at the month, AND DAY.

Of all people, Knight got it first. That says a lot about this community. ;P
it just goes to say knight dose have a brain
he just is too lazy to turn it on most of the time

oh.... fuck.

no way of getting out of this one is there...

Quote from Knight Of Nih:

it just goes to say knight dose have a brain

of course you do

My god it's April. Here I am thinking it's still March.

Hahaha even I wasnt suckered in :p

yes
well done jay and whoever else was behind this
you got us all going
very well played
im going to have a ice cup now to cool down

sure sure Spero.. you just didn't read it till now..

I'm too busy to check dates.. should have realised when it was posted at 1:46am

problem was it sounded exactly like something these moderators would do..

probably will do it tomorrow.

I posted on the first page Burk :P just because your slow.

so you did. Well Done. :P

was just informed of said practical joke....
<--- egg on face girl

yay me!

good one.... but i agree with burk. i wasnt really surprised if it were for real :(

first time ever i've been gotten!!!

That was the key - making it seem believable enough to catch people but bad enough to get them worked up :)

also no moderators posted after the inital post..

lol guys, almost as good as nodes, find and replace function they had going.

at least they didn't joke around with the lan, that could have backfired

:shock: Phew! That's good to hear then. I agree with both Burk & Lilu... it didn't surprise me, just annoyed.

GG Moderators :D

Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.
MARK TWAIN

Just checking the filesize of my sig.

EDIT: 0.36KB, beat that Unseen! :P

The bulk of the congratulations should go to Harb for setting this up, but also thanks should be given to those who took it hook, line, sinker and the whole freaking rod also who made it all so special for us.

hahah poor w00p.

April fools day on the 31st of March? Doopie, however that is, needs his head checked. ;)

aww i missed it all :(
i read it this morning.. but nothing really bothers me so i just let it go :P

crap - I was caught.

Though I sigh with relief that it was a joke :P

hahah reccy...HE is a SHE. ITS WENDY!

Finkle is Ironhorn, Ironhorn is Finkle.

All's cool for me...

Hmm... makes me think... being a Mod in GU is such a full on job... much more R3C and OD... And most guys just can't get the toughie job they're at....

__________________
GU.TOB.GunZ.Sydney

HA HA SUCKERS I GOT YOU GOOD!!!!

thanks to jay for posting the crap I wrote out, cos people would have been more suspicious if i posted it :D

this was my other effort for the day

[00:09:09] <Harbinger> holy fuck
[00:09:14] <Harbinger> gabe had a car accident
[00:09:18] <Milenko> :O
[00:09:21] <Milenko> is he ok?
[00:09:26] <Harbinger> no he's fucken dead
[00:09:31] <Milenko> WHAT?!
[00:09:31] <Harbinger> fucken shit
[00:09:36] <Milenko> PA?
[00:09:38] <Harbinger> yeah
[00:09:40] <Harbinger> :(
[00:09:45] <Milenko> no fucken way
[00:09:53] <Harbinger> thats fucked up
[00:10:01] <Milenko> how you know?
[00:10:03] <Harbinger> APRIL FOOLS
[00:10:19] <Milenko> what?
[00:10:31] <Harbinger> check teh date
[00:10:35] <Milenko> oh i get it....hardy har har
[00:10:37] <Milenko> fucker

mwhahahahahaha well done to this thread WD... :P

Harb the IRC thing... I know its april fools, but pretending someone is dead, thats not right... I know you dont care, just pointing out that i dont htink its cool to have a joke about someone dieing... although they're not. :)

*names have been changed to protect the guilty.

[10:41:24] <someone(not harb)> OMG, Ph3n had a car accident
[10:41:26] <someone(not harb)> he's like, totally dead
[10:41:41] <someone(not paladin)> WOOOOO if only it were korny again
[10:41:58] <someone(not harb)> APRIL FOOLS!
[10:42:05] <someone(not paladin)>weak

hahahahaha you harsh bastards

LOL I got to this thread way too late, but good one Harb LOL

heh a joke but it would've been nice if it gets implemented :|

A lot of irrelevant post are abound. Like in trading forums where you'll see replies completely out of topic. maybe other areas as well but I only venture in trading forums and in general.

http://file.sugarqube.com/Cards/jblo_TheWormGame.swf?PL=L400x300

i got sent this, but didnt check my email till today.

hmmm......

gg wd

Post Count: This has proven to be far too big an issue for some people, as a result, post counting will be replaced by a user based vote/rating system, this system will be used to determine new moderators.

Instead could you be ranked on how long youve been with the community
eg
0-1 year n00b
5+ pro etc

Um... ?? It was an April Fools joke man... it's kinda over. Heh, little bit late. That's what you get when you don't read the whole topic.