What is this ... who can create the shortest subject line contest?

**clee130** · 06-03-2002, 07:49 PM

People please ... be more descriptive in your subject titles.

"cone intake"

"red/clears"

"suspension"

"emblems"

These are not subject titles ... these are isolated words.

Describe the main problem/question/comment in the subject line ... please!

Don't type one or two words and make the rest of the Org try to guess what you're trying to say.

And of course, this extends to the main message. Please be as descriptive as possible.

**clee130** · 06-05-2002, 06:37 PM

How about we implement a new rule:

Less than 3 words in your subject title, and your thread gets locked.

Vague thread titles get locked too.

Examples:
"So how do you.....?"
"So what do you think about....?"

I'm not trying to be mean or anything but it's kind of annoying trying to play the guessing game with people's threads. I don't know if I will click on a thread and be able to help or not. I'm sure many other people feel the same way.

If your thread gets locked, start a new one and try to post the problem/comment/question in the title.

Discuss.

*ptatohed* · 06-05-2002, 07:06 PM

Clee, I could not agree with you more! That is my biggest pet peeve around here!! That is a great idea. Gosh I hate:

"Brakes"
"Check this out"
"Is this a good price"
"Look what I bought today"
"Does anyone here..."
etc.

Thanks Clee!!!!

**clee130** · 06-06-2002, 08:11 AM

We'll try this for a week ... see what happens. I don't feel good about locking newbies posts but if it gets the point across...

Again ... I am not trying to be mean. If there are complaints or suggestions ... post them up people. Also, because the moderators are not on 24/7 a thread or two might slip by. Don't get huffy and puffy if they do. We aren't robots and can't be online all the time.

*blizz20oma* · 06-06-2002, 09:46 AM

Ahh, the ever-challenging job of a popular public forum moderator...

I agree on the descriptive subjects wholeheartedly. However, the "how do you..." and "What do you think about..", etc, etc, posts...
Really, there's no perfect way to structure/admin a forum in my eyes that sees a lot of public traffic....especially something like a car forum. You can try to separate forums for topical reasons (ie, off-topic, opinions, car audio, electronic help, engine help, etc), but people don't like to have to root through 100 different specific topic-defined forums...and then a lot of forums wouldn't get traffic and everyone would congeal to a few anyway.

At the same time, if you just specialize the topic to the level of "4th-gen maxima", what is and isn't out of bounds is going to be horribly vague. If it's between this and an off-topic board, anything that's even slightly related to a 4th-gen maxima is going to get posted on the 4th-gen maxima board, even if that means "Wut do U think about theeze RIMS I juss got 4 my 4th gen MAXIMA????"
If it was between a "General 4th-gen Discussion" board and a "Technical 4th-gen discussion" board, that might help separate some of the "I need help" posts from the "I'm at work all day and like to talk about my car in general" posts...but it would still be difficult.

There's always problems like this on a forum, but I think that shouldn't mean the mods should start going around locking out all posts because a couple mods/people think the board should just be for experienced gearheads and people looking for help working under the hood/car, etc. I mean, you don't have to root through the opinion/chatty kinds of posts, and people looking for help can use the search function, etc.

I definitely agree on the subject line though, and also staying close to the discussion going on in the current thread, among a few other common rules of forum etiquitte. Nobody ever stated that this board
was for assistance in working with/on the car only though.

hehe...I think what forums really need is a script that converts the growingly-popular |337 5p34k into normal text. I mean, really, do people need to abbreviate words like "you" and "know" and "to" and "for" by one or two letters? ..."But it's so coooooool!"

*ptatohed* · 06-06-2002, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blizz20oma
Ahh, the ever-challenging job of a popular public forum moderator...

I agree on the descriptive subjects wholeheartedly. However, the "how do you..." and "What do you think about..", etc, etc, posts...
Really, there's no perfect way to structure/admin a forum in my eyes that sees a lot of public traffic....especially something like a car forum. You can try to separate forums for topical reasons (ie, off-topic, opinions, car audio, electronic help, engine help, etc), but people don't like to have to root through 100 different specific topic-defined forums...and then a lot of forums wouldn't get traffic and everyone would congeal to a few anyway.

At the same time, if you just specialize the topic to the level of "4th-gen maxima", what is and isn't out of bounds is going to be horribly vague. If it's between this and an off-topic board, anything that's even slightly related to a 4th-gen maxima is going to get posted on the 4th-gen maxima board, even if that means "Wut do U think about theeze RIMS I juss got 4 my 4th gen MAXIMA????"
If it was between a "General 4th-gen Discussion" board and a "Technical 4th-gen discussion" board, that might help separate some of the "I need help" posts from the "I'm at work all day and like to talk about my car in general" posts...but it would still be difficult.

There's always problems like this on a forum, but I think that shouldn't mean the mods should start going around locking out all posts because a couple mods/people think the board should just be for experienced gearheads and people looking for help working under the hood/car, etc. I mean, you don't have to root through the opinion/chatty kinds of posts, and people looking for help can use the search function, etc.

I definitely agree on the subject line though, and also staying close to the discussion going on in the current thread, among a few other common rules of forum etiquitte. Nobody ever stated that this board
was for assistance in working with/on the car only though.

hehe...I think what forums really need is a script that converts the growingly-popular |337 5p34k into normal text. I mean, really, do people need to abbreviate words like "you" and "know" and "to" and "for" by one or two letters? ..."But it's so coooooool!"

I have absolutely no idea what you just said.

*blizz20oma* · 06-06-2002, 10:54 AM

In a nutshell....said "vague thread title" threads shouldn't necessarily get locked, ie:

"So how do you.....?"
"So what do you think about....?"

Those don't sound like "vague thread titles" as much as they sound like titles of threads containing general/vague discussions about something in particular.
And if it's the general discussion that's really what's not well-accepted by mods like Clee, then....well, my other post explains that.

I get verbose explaining things, sorry. Most people don't like that tendency....usually only other mellowed out philosophy nuts like me talk that way. Goes to show you what can happen if you do too much LSD in your high school days

*ptatohed* · 06-06-2002, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blizz20oma
In a nutshell....said "vague thread title" threads shouldn't necessarily get locked, ie:

"So how do you.....?"
"So what do you think about....?"

Those don't sound like "vague thread titles" as much as they sound like titles of threads containing general/vague discussions about something in particular.

I disagree blizz. They sound very vague to me. How do you do WHAT?! What do we think about WHAT?! They should fill in the blanks.

Ex.
"So how do you remove rotors?"
"So what do you think about Weapon R intakes?"

That way it is more clear for everyone. If someone has no interest in brakes or intakes they can pass on by, if someone is interested, they can go into the thread. When the thread titles are undescriptive, it makes it harder for everyone.

**clee130** · 06-06-2002, 12:42 PM

Well ... my point isn't to lock thread that don't pertain to 4th gen Maximas.

I'm just talking about vague subject titles. I don't particularly like locking threads because I know some people post and then sign off and come back half a day later. But it's only to find out that their question wasn't answered because I locked it.

And on top of that, it's just more babysitting and work for me and mzmtg.

But for a while, it looked like the entire first page was filled with three word subject titles. It was like a "Who can come up with the shortest vaguest title" contest.

I'm not exactly thrilled about locking people's posts based on their subject title alone, but something has to be done.

When someone posts a subject title liked "suspension" ... I don't know if I'll be reading about how he finished putting on his new springs and likes the ride (something I don't really need to know) or if he's asking about what what springs to put on (something I can give him links to).

Likewise, the annoying, "PLEASE HELP - I NEED HELP NOW!! NOWWW!!!" subject titles with the message inside saying: "How do you guys like the popcharger?" kind of threads are extremely annoying as well.

Me and mzmtg talked a little bit and we both decided to try this way for a little while - a week or so. I realize that there will be newbies coming in and they'll eventually post up the three word subject titles. But I've noticed some regular posting members using the three word subject titles and they should know better.

I'm just trying to make it easier for people to sort through what posts they want to read and not have people try to guess what's inside the thread.

*blizz20oma* · 06-06-2002, 01:32 PM

I thought it was inferred that the [...] blanks were filled with something, but that even with a specific subject, the discussion over the item was kind of vague. Like a "lets have an opinionated discussion" kinda thread about certain things. I thought clee meant that there was going to be more locking on those types of threads now. I think I read it a bit wrong.

I think you guys (clee and mtmzg) are doing the right thing on the vague thread titles. Hopefully people will learn quickly that way.

The mods here overall do a lot better of a job than on the other forums I've frequented (with both less and more traffic than here).
Not to mention since I've popped back on, I haven't gotten one "busy" screen - sweet!

*ptatohed* · 06-06-2002, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blizz20oma
I thought it was inferred that the [...] blanks were filled with something, but that even with a specific subject, the discussion over the item was kind of vague.

No! I am pretty sure that Clee meant just that. That the "..." is litterally there in the thread title. I see it all the time! It drives me nuts:

"So how do you.....?"
"So what do you think about....?"
"Does anyone here know..."
"You have to check this out..."
"How often should I..."
"Is this a good price..."

Etc., etc., etc.

*fst96se* · 06-07-2002, 10:51 AM

More Newbie hating.

*fst96se* · 06-07-2002, 10:55 AM

Dude!!

You locked this thread?????
Cold Weather and Brake Problems.

You have got to be kidding me!

You said LESS THAN 3 words, not three words or less!

THIS IS A PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE POST!!

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

This is representative of your level of maturity apparently!

Supermachoman · 06-07-2002, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clee130
People please ... be more descriptive in your subject titles.

"cone intake"

"red/clears"

"suspension"

"emblems"

These are not subject titles ... these are isolated words.

Describe the main problem/question/comment in the subject line ... please!

Don't type one or two words and make the rest of the Org try to guess what you're trying to say.

And of course, this extends to the main message. Please be as descriptive as possible.

I think that's a good idea Clee. I also think any threads about "what's the best, y-pipe, intake, exhaust" + "where can I get them" should be locked as soon as they're noticed. The 4th Gen forum has been plagued with these threads for some time now.

*ptatohed* · 06-07-2002, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fst96se
Dude!!

You locked this thread?????
Cold Weather and Brake Problems.

You have got to be kidding me!

You said LESS THAN 3 words, not three words or less!

THIS IS A PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE POST!!

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

This is representative of your level of maturity apparently!

DUDE, he already gave you many examples of what he will be locking. All you did was place a noun in your title. Vague. O.k., so your 'noun' happened to be 3 words long, but the idea is the same. Examples given include:

"cone intake"

"red/clears"

"suspension"

"emblems"

Do you see how "Fuel Pressure Regulator" is the exact same thing? Were you asking a question of where to buy? How often to change it? Giving advice? Giving an experience? Your title was vague.

*fst96se* · 06-07-2002, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ptatohed

Do you see how "Fuel Pressure Regulator" is the exact same thing? Were you asking a question of where to buy? How often to change it? Giving advice? Giving an experience? Your title was vague.

It wasn't my thread, I just thought it was silly.

**clee130** · 06-07-2002, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fst96se
More Newbie hating.

Not so ... I lock everyone's posts ... not just newbies.

*The Wizard* · 06-07-2002, 02:37 PM

Clee,

great idea man. I've been surfing this site for quit some time now and am sick of the vague subject lines too.

multiplexor · 06-10-2002, 09:06 AM

I dunno about everyone else, but everytime i create a new thread i think to myself first, "If i was searching for this thread, what would be a good name to call it."

for example

Cut off a Lady driving her max.....

or

Electronic Supercharger Opinions

In a sense people should be thinking about themselves when they create a thread. I name the thread in a way that i know if i searched for it, i would find it, so i'm sure others would also. I don't know if that's the right way of doing it, but it makes more sense than nameing a thread "Rotor problem" which is not descriptive. Something like "Car vibrates when stopping. Rotor problem?" or "Why is my car vibrating when stopping"

anywho...

maximaGTR · 06-11-2002, 12:10 PM

good point

*fst96se* · 06-12-2002, 02:05 PM

The threadlockers are out in force!!

WOw, how does it feel to have such power!?

ok, there is a thread titled "start up hesitation". It gets locked, but if said "I have start up hesitation" it would be fine. Hmmmm.

Same with "Bose speaker question." A perfectly legitimate post in my opinion. I guess it should have read "I have a bose speaker question."

Come on Moderaters (specifically clee130), let decent posts stay. Quit the power trip.

I know this will get locked, but people need to read it. It is happening just in the 4th gen forum, so this is where this thread needs to be.

If you delete this thread, however, it will show your level of maturity!

*BlackCat* · 06-12-2002, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fst96se
The threadlockers are out in force!!

WOw, how does it feel to have such power!?

...blah blah blah...

If you delete this thread, however, it will show your level of maturity!

IMO, reading between the lines, I think you want some yourself.

**clee130** · 06-12-2002, 04:45 PM

Final response.

I've decided not to continue this policy.

And it's certainly not because of a couple of e-thugs who are crusading against the moderators or our policies.

I tried to do something to help everyone out. In fact, several members liked the idea of locking/deleting vague threads. Perhaps I am less cynical than some other moderators and believed that members would be willing to help out other members.

Obviously, I was wrong. Several members went out of their way to ridicule the rule and post in threads saying, "Oops, ibtl" and other childish things of that nature.

But the simple fact is that we don't have the time to keep an eye out for each thread and it in fact alienates newbies rather than helping them. Another fact is that I obviously can't force everyone to use proper grammar and sentence structure. Too bad.

One member PMed me and said that the more mature members would understand where newbies are coming from and would continue to help dispite vague titles.

And I would like now to thank all those who continue to visit the forum and continue to answer questions in a mature fashion.

So far as this matter for me is concerned, it's closed.

mzmtg may feel otherwise and may continue to lock posts ... so ... from now on, blame him.