UFO Sighting/Alien Encounter Posts

ATS is swamped/blessed with posts where the OP is reporting a UFO sighting/alien encounter.

Unfortunately it usually takes around 3 or 4 pages of questioning and an onslaught of ad hominem responses before we actually start to get a clear picture of what actually happened with some of the relevant facts.

It is usually at this stage that these posts are then labelled by the ATS Mods as a hoax while some turn out to inconclusive and are therefore left open to discussion.

The first point to this post is that ATS has the technology to speed up the process and add quality and clarity to the original post. This could be done by creating a post template using the same process that any poster needs to adopt when reporting breaking news items.

The template would require the OP to include the following fields (possibly mandatory) prior to submitting the post:

Country
City
Date
Time
Direction (North, South etc.)
Atmospheric/Weather Conditions
Camera Make/Model
Camera Settings
Witnesses
What you were doing

These items are suggestions only and are by no means meant to represent the final list so please feel free to add to this post those items that you feel should/could be included.

By providing all of this information in the original post ATS members will enjoy quality information in the first post rather than having to wait for all and sundry to fire out the right questions in a sometimes gruelling interrogation over a matter of days/pages of posts.

Another point worthy of mention is the current HOAX tag system. I appreciate the work that the Mods do and how difficult the task is to sometimes make the call on HOAX posts. Actually, some posts are apparently quite easy to call while others can be evasive and cause consternation when finally branded HOAX.

Maybe I am wrong but I have a feeling that there are some HOAX-labelled posts on ATS that not every member agrees is actually a hoax.

So we have two potential problems: The Mod's job/decision and Members opinion.

These problems can be resolved efficiently and satisfactorily with a new HOAX rating system.

This system would be based on the Flag technology already doing a fantistic job on the site.

Essentially, there would be 2 buttons on the thread: HOAX / BELIEVABLE. As members vote the scores would be published as (example) HOAX: 79% / BELIEVABLE: 21%.

This saves Mods from any bashing and criticism and it also factors in the opinion of those members who believe it to be plausible. The opinion could also be left open so that you could change from HOAX to BELIEVABLE (or vice versa) should you wish to do so as the thread progresses.

I believe that these changes would thoroughly enhance the ATS experience by adding quality, clarity and a democratic platform of opinion on a category of posts that has, without doubt, the potential to be the most exciting and important on the web.

This isn't a dig guys - this is a great site and you do a fantastic job already.

Edit: Changed title so that it was not misleading. Sorry

[edit on 30/7/2008 by skibtz]

if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Oh, wait you did give a solution.
Great ideas in my opinion. I also think there should be some kind of posting probation like the current U2U system. You can't make a BS post 2.3 minutes after you sign up on ATS for the 20th time about the alien that is sleeping with you grandma.
Maybe you can't start a thread untill you have left 10 posts or something. It won't be fool proof, but it will take a little time and the attention getters might get bored following rules for over 10 minutes. ( I hear they have a short attention span)

Originally posted by Mason mike
... You can't make a BS post 2.3 minutes after you sign up on ATS for the 20th time about the alien that is sleeping with you grandma.
Maybe you can't start a thread untill you have left 10 posts or something. It won't be fool proof, but it will take a little time and the attention getters might get bored following rules for over 10 minutes. ( I hear they have a short attention span)

good suggestion - i think that faced with a 10 post rule, most beerheads would switch to a porn site or the like

ps. my nan apolgies profusely - she made it all up!!!

reply to post by skibtz


This may sound wierd, but when I read a post frome someone in the UK, I can invision a Monty Python skit and hear the voice in my head. I just hope that when someone from the UK reads a post from an american they don't hear President Bush speaking.

reply to post by skibtz


If I've said this once, I've said it a thousand times.
There is a very easy way to combat overskepticissity:

1. Take a photography class at your local learning annex.
2. Purchase bout ten grand worth of photo/video equipment including tripods, lenses, Flir, etc.
3. Make sure you're there, prepared and looking up at the sky when UFOs appear.
4. Gather witnesses and have them sign a prepared release form.
5. Take picture/video from different angles simultaneously.
6. Immediately place cameras into evidentiary Ziploc.
7. Have said Ziploc sealed by any cast member of CSI or a real CSI.
8. Document this procedure legally by having it notarized. (remember to always have a notary public with you)
9. Have someone take a picture of you, the witnesses, the UFO, the CSI, and the notary public, and have that notarized.
10. Send to ATS

Bob's your uncle!
It couldn't be simpler really.

Originally posted by Mason mike
if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Oh, wait you did give a solution.
Great ideas in my opinion. I also think there should be some kind of posting probation like the current U2U system. You can't make a BS post 2.3 minutes after you sign up on ATS for the 20th time about the alien that is sleeping with you grandma.
Maybe you can't start a thread untill you have left 10 posts or something. It won't be fool proof, but it will take a little time and the attention getters might get bored following rules for over 10 minutes. ( I hear they have a short attention span)

Good ideas. IMO this should be implemented for the Summer holidays atleast. When the kids return to school, then we can return to normal (thats if we want to)

reply to post by schrodingers dog


I pushed that button.
Now I am scared for life. Thanks a lot!

I do like your idea of a simple yes/no, A/B type vote that displays a percentage result. It might cut down on the minimal 'I believe' - 'I don't believe' posts since a person's opinion would be in the total. Flames, most likely not.

Originally posted by Mason mike
reply to post by skibtz

 

This may sound wierd, but when I read a post frome someone in the UK, I can invision a Monty Python skit and hear the voice in my head. I just hope that when someone from the UK reads a post from an american they don't hear President Bush speaking.

Ha, love it my friends across the pond are always saying that I sound (read)like a cross between Victor Meldrew, Basil Fawlty or the Blackadder gang!!! (I just thank God its not Alan Partridge)!!

Well when I read an American I hear a cross between Bush/Rumsfeld or the cast of friends!!!!

Dont you love the preconceived stereotype!!!

Peace

(PS if it sounds/ reads really cool, I think of the resevior dogs)

[edit on 30/7/2008 by LestatG]

reply to post by LestatG


Best Partridge quotes:

"I've been working like a Japanese prisoner of war. But a happy one."

"Guide dogs for the blind. It's cruel really, isn't it? Getting a dog to lead a man round all day. Not fair on either of them."

Partridge & Enfield = Priceless stereotypes

Nah, i'm more of a commoner

I do work with a guy who sounds like Aan Partridge - he's a bit odd though. From Norfolk you see

I relocated this thread to here as it was a more relevant forum

Originally posted by Mason mike
if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Oh, wait you did give a solution.
Great ideas in my opinion. I also think there should be some kind of posting probation like the current U2U system. You can't make a BS post 2.3 minutes after you sign up on ATS for the 20th time about the alien that is sleeping with you grandma.
Maybe you can't start a thread untill you have left 10 posts or something. It won't be fool proof, but it will take a little time and the attention getters might get bored following rules for over 10 minutes. ( I hear they have a short attention span)

I actually.... suggested this just this morning. You know what they say

Originally posted by NephraTari
I think perhaps New users should have to have a certain amount of ATS points before they can author a thread of their own. I think 500 ats points or maybe 1000 would be ideal. They can participate in existing threads like anyone else but cannot create a new topic until they have established themselves as a worthy member of the community.

just a thought

I honestly think this would reduce the hoax threads by quite a bit.



[edit on 4-8-2008 by NephraTari]