On Thread Content and Thread Derailment

[Gordon Smith]

One: We realize originality is hard to come by after years and years of arguing about the same stuff. Still, if there are five threads on the front page talkin' about Batman versus the Joker, we really don't need a sixth one right that moment. Greater use of the search function would be nice as well.

Two: There's some topics that belong "'behind the counter'', so to speak, like yaoi and so forth, so if you want to talk about that stuff, please do so here.

Three: What we do here isn't supposed to be the work of genius. Nor do we have any real problem with silly fluff per se. Still, putting at least some effort into the thread-topic would be appreciated. Picture-comparison/date threads, ''disrepect'' threads, threads to complain about other boards or certain groups of posters, threads that are a thinly veiled effort to talk about sexual matters or just plain ''what do you like better; smooth or crunchy peanut butter'' threads and topics like that really aren't likely to generate much in the way of actual debate. Cruder, more banal stuff will likely be deleted outright; other topics may be recycled into the chat-thread as seems appropriate.

Four: Thread-derailment's a way of life around here, always has been, but it's getting out of hand. Silly meandering posts are fodder for the chat-thread. Going into a debate thread to destroy it with off-topic silliness is not cool. You can post off-topic type silliness to your heart's content in the chat-thread. Please keep it there. Thanks!

~~Gordon

Five: Thou shalt not make Rumbles with real-life religious figures. No more 'Jesus Christ' or 'Buddha' Rumbles.

~~Sharpandpointies

[Sharpandpointies]

Character/author bashing is becoming really common, particularly in the Twilight threads, with Rumbles consistently being derailed so people can rant about their hated characters or make obscene comments on how they lose the fight.

Until it cools off, I'm going to start getting really picky about character/author bashing. To the point of official warnings.

When a little bit of complaining about characters and expressions of dislike go by, that's fine. But when it constantly derails threads, that's another matter.

[Sharpandpointies]

On Bumping -

For those not aware of the meaning of 'bumping', it's when your thread doesn't get any replies and you put a post saying 'Anyone?' or something along those lines to boost it back up to the top. However, bumping has always been frowned upon on the CBR website. It's the same on Rumbles. It is, however, becoming more and more common here with new people who may not be aware of this fact.

Essentially, don't bump your threads. Period. If it doesn't get any replies, it's a sad thing but not the end of the world.

The ONLY way around this is to put a reply of your own that actually has content - for example, giving your own opinion on the matter, not simply restating the question. Mind, this will only work once.

I'm going to start closing threads that get bumped.

[Sharpandpointies]

I think we have enough RPG's for now. This isn't a dedicated board, and I don't want them pushing all the Rumbles off the front page.

Until one of them shuts down or stalls out, no more RPGs please.

Currently running:

- Esper Shift
- SHR 3
- Xavier Academy
- Final Boss

[Sharpandpointies]

Too many non-Rumbles threads, too many 'you' threads...culling will likely take place for a while.