The State of the Community

[dada]

With all this talk about spammers it makes me feel pretty shitty. Oh well.

It takes a while to adjust to the forum environment. I noticed that the most I do is spam up NBA talk but recently I have been thinking of ways to help out the community. Well , looking back at it there was a time where I tried to do a poll a day about NBA related topics to hopefully get people talking serious basketball but it lost steam. I'm no good at patching so now I thought I would try to humour everyone by drawing a comic a week this summer about the forum. I really dont know what else to do, I'm not too skilled in Photoshop or anything. I just love talking basketball and getting a laugh every now and then. I'm a loser I know.


Maybe we should make a thread for new members(also current) to read about ways in which they can contribute to the forum and sticky it. That might get them into the contributing attitude at an earlier stage and I'm sure the quality of patches and such will increase and more creative ideas about improving the game will come about.


I cant really argue too much about spammers since I am one myself. I havent really contributed much. I'll try harder in the future.

edit:
We can also have like a Quality Control team(is that what you call it?) of serious NBA Live gamers whereas before patches are released, members can submit them to be tested and receive feedback on improvements and even some help. Maybe post more stuff to the main page. Who knows? We can add a lil "NLSC Certified" label at the bottom of those patches approved as being excellent.

[Andrew]

I was probably one of the few people that didn't really like the custom titles idea simply because it makes another reason to raise your post count.

The same has been said for having visible post counts though. At the end of the day, some people just won't want to constructively contribute and just spam the board with crap, regardless of whether they know their post count or can get a custom title or consider themselves veterans. Some people will never be interested in dicussions and just post random comments here and there. The only measure against that would be to delete the crap posts and encourage them to put more thought into their posting, or ban them if they're annoying everyone.

Besides, you have to be registered more than a year to get a custom title anyway, and they're just a fun thing you can get if you've been around a while and are pretty active in the Forum.

Maybe we should make a thread for new members(also current) to read about ways in which they can contribute to the forum and sticky it. That might get them into the contributing attitude at an earlier stage and I'm sure the quality of patches and such will increase and more creative ideas about improving the game will come about.

That could work, a "tips for good discussions" kind of sticky. Maybe some sort of "debate club" could work as well, with weekly (or more frequently if people are keen) topics being suggested and discussed. I remember when Jae did the debating portion of the short lived Forum reality show it saw some interesting discussions, maybe that sort of thing can help kick-start good topics in NBA and General Talk.

[Tuomas]

We can also have like a Quality Control team(is that what you call it?) of serious NBA Live gamers whereas before patches are released, members can submit them to be tested and receive feedback on improvements and even some help. Maybe post more stuff to the main page. Who knows? We can add a lil "NLSC Certified" label at the bottom of those patches approved as being excellent.

I like that. It's like at mvpmods.com, where they add the "editor's choice" mark on the most recommended patches. They also made a big ass project for MVP 2005 that updated the game for this season.

[dada]

That could work, a "tips for good discussions" kind of sticky. Maybe some sort of "debate club" could work as well, with weekly (or more frequently if people are keen) topics being suggested and discussed. I remember when Jae did the debating portion of the short lived Forum reality show it saw some interesting discussions, maybe that sort of thing can help kick-start good topics in NBA and General Talk.

The only I worry about is keeping the discussion serious (maybe not serious but just not another spam thread). It would probably have to be heavily moderated to keep the discussion going strong. Weed out thos "Lebron is the pwn" kinda posts.

First thing that popped into my head: make a Debating Section where only mods can post the threads (If thats possible) or topics have to be suggested and approved (Suggestion thread). Make it a set date and time (ex. Every Friday from 6-10 pm or w/e). It can be something to look forward to every week where diehard NBA fans might even research and prepare arguments just for that night. Might be fun.

[Andrew]

It's easy enough to just delete nonsense posts. We can just be more vigilant in doing that across the whole forum.

A seperate debate section wouldn't be a bad idea, but it does make the NBA Talk/General Talk sections somewhat redundant.

[dada]

A seperate debate section wouldn't be a bad idea, but it does make the NBA Talk/General Talk sections somewhat redundant.

Not necessarily if its a once a week event. Open it for a few hours and we get all we have to say about 'that' off our mind before its locked. I'm sure people will have a million other things to talk about for the next 6 days of the week which will end up in NBA/General Talk.

On a crazy note it can be a team event. For some reason that sounds funny.

Put together debating teams and have head on discussions where the other members can cast their vote as to who has the stronger argument and then the debating board (if one is chosen to be made) will put in their 2 cents.

Anyways debates are fun and it promotes critical thinking.

[Andrew]

But that doesn't really help out those two sections. Besides, some debates could and would go on and on, not as much as starting good topics in those areas of the Forum.

[dada]

But that doesn't really help out those two sections. Besides, some debates could and would go on and on, not as much as starting good topics in those areas of the Forum.

Oh well, cant argue much since your point is valid. Just throwing stuff out there.

*turns page*

I think that 'ways to contribute' guide would be helful though. I might just work on that myself for the fun of it and pm you peeps for suggestions to add. What do you think?

[Tuomas]

Not bad. But Jae did something like that for General Talk and there are the rules so would it be too much?

I think a different posting reward system could work. People would get reward points for good posts. But then we would have to have some people giving those points (mods etc.), not like the karma system.

[peaches]

What would we do with the points?

Anyways, i dont think people should go out and make good posts just for the sake of getting a reward.
It's really not that hard to stay on topic and actually make a relevant post. It's funny how some of the people that you guys are talking about just go and ignore this thread. Now, im not saying im one of them..im implying that id like to think i've improved a tad.

After this discussion is done with, hopefully people should think about what they contribute to the forum and do something about it like Jackal starting that thread in General Talk.

[Tuomas]

Well people boast about post counts so...
What I meant was that people could be encouraged to make better posts. That idea was kind of just thrown there, don't take it too seriously.

I still think that NBA Live coverage is the key. When patching was at it's best, the community was the closest.

[Jackal]

Maybe we should make a thread for new members(also current) to read about ways in which they can contribute to the forum and sticky it. That might get them into the contributing attitude at an earlier stage and I'm sure the quality of patches and such will increase and more creative ideas about improving the game will come about.

I think that idea seems better in theory then it will work out in reality. The whole point of the Hardwood Classics section was to show the younger generation of posters the "quality" threads the NLSC has had. In the beginning everyone was all in awe of it and said they'd read all the threads. The point I thought of that was that they'd read it, see what the posters of back then used to be like & model themselves accordingly. I was very mistaken. Now it's like a race to get a thread you nominate into the Hardwood Classics. Someone will suggest a certain thread & maybe Jae doesn't think it's a fitting thread for the Hardwood Classics, he doesn't bother to induct it. Person that suggested badgers on & on about it. Jae reluctantly adds it.

So yeah, the whole guide to better posting might & might not work. I'm less optimistic about it, but as I said, in theory it sounds like a dandy idea.

[cklitsie]

My small suggestions I've seen at other forums (which have its pros and cons, I know):
- hide post counts
- 5 words rule (minimum of eg. 5 words per post)
- a system where mods can give warnings to a poster when he spams, violates the rules, etc. working with percentages (eg. spamming is 5%, asking for a crack 30%, when someone reaches 100% they're out).

[J@3]

I love that warning system idea, that could really work.

[Andrew]

I don't think hiding post counts is necessary. People who want to spam and make useless posts are going to do that regardless. The other two suggestions are interesting though, if there's mods that will allow us to do that easily/automatically they'd definitely be food for thought.

[cklitsie]

I don't think hiding post counts is necessary. People who want to spam and make useless posts are going to do that regardless.

True, I've always been a "proponent" of hiding posts count but I don't have anything to bring up against that argument.

Though, the biggest spam thread seem to be the shoutout threads, whether it's because the creator didn't take enough time to make a real shoutout thread, some people feel like they were left out or whatever reason. Just my opinion but I can understand were you guys are coming from.

[dada]

Reminds me of a forum I recently visited which was really extreme in punishing spammers. It was like one spam post and your out. It was the funniest thing. They were in no way as lenient as the mods are on here. Oh well.

[Andrew]

I don't know if that's the best approach either though, an absolute zero-tolerance policy on anything where everyone is afraid to post lest they break a rule isn't a friendly or positive atmosphere in my opinion.

Though, the biggest spam thread seem to be the shoutout threads, whether it's because the creator didn't take enough time to make a real shoutout thread, some people feel like they were left out or whatever reason. Just my opinion but I can understand were you guys are coming from.

Agreed, but if people want to find out their post count they can do so through the Memberlist. Or there'll be posts asking for post counts as there were in the old Forum so ultimately I don't think it's a deterrent.

[dada]

I wouldnt go with the zero-tolerance policy either but its funny how serious they were about it. If a policy like that was in place here then I probably wouldnt be posting now. It takes a while to get into the flow of a forum.

Besides from the spamming, this community is still great to me. Post counts dont matter much to me since its obvious who the quality posters are. If peopl wanna spam their way up the charts then they will quickly notice that it doesnt automaticaly give them respect from the bigger heads like Andrew and Jae. I remember when I reached 1000 and I made a lil milestone thread and mentioned Jae & Andrew since they responded to a couple of my posts here and there yet they barely picked up on my name. I knew those guys just because they make high quality posts (except Jae's flames every now and then). Not that I expected respect or anything but it was just proof that you shouldnt expect much from a high post count and whats more important is the qulaity.

[Cable]

I'd like to complain that Jackal and his 4 new topics are going to force me to spend more time here. Damn you guys and your long posts, I don't have the time for this.

If you didn't get it, I'm not serious. Great job Jackal.

[Ruff Ryder]

Maybe we should make a thread for new members(also current) to read about ways in which they can contribute to the forum and sticky it. That might get them into the contributing attitude at an earlier stage and I'm sure the quality of patches and such will increase and more creative ideas about improving the game will come about.

I think that idea seems better in theory then it will work out in reality. The whole point of the Hardwood Classics section was to show the younger generation of posters the "quality" threads the NLSC has had. In the beginning everyone was all in awe of it and said they'd read all the threads. The point I thought of that was that they'd read it, see what the posters of back then used to be like & model themselves accordingly. I was very mistaken. Now it's like a race to get a thread you nominate into the Hardwood Classics. Someone will suggest a certain thread & maybe Jae doesn't think it's a fitting thread for the Hardwood Classics, he doesn't bother to induct it. Person that suggested badgers on & on about it. Jae reluctantly adds it.

So yeah, the whole guide to better posting might & might not work. I'm less optimistic about it, but as I said, in theory it sounds like a dandy idea.

I don't think it would work, main reason being that nobody would read it lol. These n00bs we get don't even read the rules, so what makes us think they'd read that thread. Then they go into the 06 General section and post "How do I backdown on keyboard!?!?!!??!" when there's a sticky thread in all caps talking about how to do it.

And when I think about 2003 patching, for instance, the guys that did "NBA Live Street" were Mitch, Ahmad, Jowe(I think did some), Tony, and guys like that. Now the guys this year are people like Flash-3(who?), Marcus89(or something) and a bunch of people we've never heard of. Maybe some of the better patchers should come together and do big projects to set examples. Honestly, I don't want no half-assed effort with jerseys that look like the "coat of many colors" in my game. And that was when Repole, the jack of all trades, tied everything together. He was basically the mod-man lol. And I think Seraph could fill in nicely there, but there doesn't seem to be near as much motivation. Don't get me wrong, we have quality patchers, pretty good replacements for who we used to have. Conrad, Fran, Dragon, CK in jerseys, Mikki(some), Homeboy, LPasso, 3th in faces and Cazurro, Master_sFincter(or whatever his name is), and a few Asian guys in shoe patches.

But then again, the game is near as easy to patch as it was in 2003. In 2003 you could assign specific things to specific players, but in 06 you really can't without going and editing the DBFs and you can't do specific jerseys either. But anyway, I think if some of the better patchers would work together on some mods, it'd benefit the community.

[Ruff Ryder]

Now I think Peachy is probably the best poster we've had this year, and the problem with that is there's no real debate about it. We haven't had anybody seem good enough to rival him.

I'd beg to differ. We've got Laxation, Axel, and myself who haven't been here a year as well as Peachy. I think the problem is the number of posters joining, there's just too many, and it's too easy to forget about people. I think that's what changed the most.

I was referring more to "2006". It's kinda a shame that we're half way through this year and we've only had 1 decent poster. And I know that alot of people that have the potential to be quality posters simply don't post in other forums other than the 2006 Announcements/General/Dynasty forums.

I also see that Jae-kal is making an effort to revive the general discussion of the community. Time for me to make a thread...

[Jackal]

Mmmhmm, Jae's taking care of the light/humor side while I get the more boring ones.

I'd like to complain that Jackal and his 4 new topics are going to force me to spend more time here. Damn you guys and your long posts, I don't have the time for this.

Thing is, nor do I. I was content making my oneliners and snide remarks. On the flip side, I'm not doing my part in bettering a community that has shaped my online persona, that's almost as if I'm just ditching it. So yeah, basically I'll go from what is it, 7-8 posts a day to say maybe 4-5 posts a day but they'll be a tad lengthier.

We'll see how it turns out, hopefully I can keep making semi-decent threads for a while.

Looking forward to posting in your thread TBD.

[H Rock]

Reminds me of a forum I recently visited which was really extreme in punishing spammers. It was like one spam post and your out. It was the funniest thing. They were in no way as lenient as the mods are on here. Oh well.

I think I know what forum you're talking about. I don't think they're being really strict about the kind of sappming you're thinking about. It was more like spamming for a webiste, not those one-word spam post things.

[Colin]

One comment, let's not just all think of our best possible topics and post them all at the same time. We're going for sustained elevated discussion, not 5 days of elevated discussion.