New Minimum Character Count For Replies.

Originally posted by Comatose
reply to post by RubberBaron

 

Maybe posts that reach the vote threshold can be submitted to administrators for 'approval' ? That could help with admin work load, since they won't have to read over each little post and decide whether it contributes or not.

So kinda a balance between automated/manual.

[edit on 12-4-2009 by Comatose]

I think that would be a better way, but then we have seen just recently the anon posting go, and an admin thread about not being too quick on the draw with the report feature. I'm sure a part of their reasoning was that it's just too much work to have to check all the posts they get. With a system of marking down posts, I think it would be even more work.

It seems the three word story is working.. unless I am misunderstanding that thread as well. Which wouldnt be a surprise since I seem to be clueless about a lot of things around here.

I wish a moderator or admin would come and explain this all too us.

Here is my opinion. I think a minimum character count on posts is absurd. Sometimes people ask questions that can be answered with one word, and one word is all that is needed. One letter is enough sometimes.

So I think this is stupid, and I think this is an ATS policy that detracts from the forums usefulness.

Originally posted by RubberBaron

Originally posted by Comatose
reply to post by RubberBaron

 

Maybe posts that reach the vote threshold can be submitted to administrators for 'approval' ? That could help with admin work load, since they won't have to read over each little post and decide whether it contributes or not.

So kinda a balance between automated/manual.

[edit on 12-4-2009 by Comatose]

I think that would be a better way, but then we have seen just recently the anon posting go, and an admin thread about not being too quick on the draw with the report feature. I'm sure a part of their reasoning was that it's just too much work to have to check all the posts they get. With a system of marking down posts, I think it would be even more work.

Heh, yeah. Just edited my previous post to say it might create more work.

But also, with the way I described, the admins probably won't even have to read through any of the threads at all... Just the posts that are reported to them via the voting up/down system, which I think will be easier than reading through the contents of whole threads to find mis-placed posts.

I don't know. Staff will have to comment on this.

Wow! When I post - - I type it out - - read it back - - taking out ALL unnecessary wording.

I try to make my posts - precise and to the point.

This is almost like being penalized for not "fluffing" my viewpoint.

Other then the Opening Post - anything beyond 2 paragraphs - generally loses my interest.

I grant - there are a few posters that can keep me engaged in their informative meanderings - - but they are far and few between.

There are members who have on many occasions shown they can post useful, interesting responses in less than 200 characters.

Some such replies just "nail" an issue beautifully & can be a highlight amongst verbosity & obfuscation.

It will be a shame to see such posts disallowed in future.

I have a fun new problem.
My reply button no longer works in other threads even if I refresh.

Since I need 108 more characters to define a problem I'm going to let the MODS know that this just isn't working out the way they thought and I think it's a bad idea.
Cool I can stop typing now even though my problem was expressed in 2 lines.

I really hope all the threads don't end up with a lot of COPY/PASTE info so they can meet their QUOTA

This is also interesting.

I noticed that the box said I had 10,000 characters. I erased 2 words and it dropped down to just over 6000 characters and I was able to post.

This is getting worse by the minute.

Hey MOD's,
Do we have an idea of when things are going to get back to normal??????????

[edit on 12-4-2009 by jfj123]

While I can kinda see the need for this, I also can see this driving some members away. Some can cut to the heart of the matter in a few words and that's all that is needed. Others need thousands of characters to make a simple point.

I always thought that posts here were judged on quality, not quantity of characters.

I'll try to work with it.....

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
As I look through the forums, I've been seeing what has been a significant rise in simplistic one-line, atta-boy, what-he-said, and other very-minimal contributions as replies.

Since our previous efforts to remind members that that type of posting activity simply isn't wanted on ATS, we've taken steps to be a bit more proactive.
END QUOTE

I had to remove the HTML for your quote or find another 8,800 characters to complete my post. It seems removing portions of the originally quoted text causes the character requirements to go to 10,000!!!

I clicked the link which takes me to a page from 2004. If that's the previous effort perhaps more reminders over the last 5 years would have yielded some results.

I suggest a monthly newsletter that informs the members of unwanted trends, good trends, and suggestions for making the forums a happy fun place for all.

Don't loose sleep over the minor infractions. We have a wide spectrum of ages on here, and people from all over the world belonging to different cultures, so perfection will never be attained by more rules. A simple polite reminder now and then will win you a lot of respect.

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


I think the point ATS is attempting to make with this particular thread, is that they desire actual quality, thought out, and succinct replies, to ATS'ers.

reply to post by John Matrix


"loose sleep".....I like that one!!!

When I 'loose sleep' I usually have to change the sheets afterwards

...OK, OK, wiping eyes...sorry, couldn't resist....

I like the barbeque forum!! Place to let loose!

Originally posted by SpartanKingLeonidas
reply to post by SkepticOverlord

 

I think the point ATS is attempting to make with this particular thread, is that they desire actual quality, thought out, and succinct replies, to ATS'ers.

We know that, and so would you if you read all of the posts first. I prefer quality over quantity.

A few profound words can sometimes speak directly to the heart of some issues better than thousands of characters of useless verbal meanderings.

Originally posted by weedwhacker
reply to post by John Matrix

 

"loose sleep".....I like that one!!!

When I 'loose sleep' I usually have to change the sheets afterwards

...OK, OK, wiping eyes...sorry, couldn't resist....

I like the barbeque forum!! Place to let loose!

To talk about pointless and amount of characters used. This did nothing for the discussion. Perfect example of ample characters meaning nothing.

Originally posted by Ant4AU

Originally posted by weedwhacker
reply to post by John Matrix

 

"loose sleep".....I like that one!!!

When I 'loose sleep' I usually have to change the sheets afterwards

...OK, OK, wiping eyes...sorry, couldn't resist....

I like the barbeque forum!! Place to let loose!

To talk about pointless and amount of characters used. This did nothing for the discussion. Perfect example of ample characters meaning nothing.

Well, weedwhacker did say he was sorry.

It clearly appears that the vast majority of members is giving this rule a five thumbs down on a scale of one to five.

reply to post by John Matrix


I was making a point, via posting exactly how many characters it took to get the reply posted. Thanks though for your post, it gave me a reason to reply, again.

Originally posted by Ant4AU
reply to post by ProtoplasmicTraveler

 

If you like to write you can request writer status from worldwatcher. We are blessed with a 10,000 characters to use. To fill new requirements.





[edit on 12-4-2009 by Ant4AU]

This is a great idea and something I will check into, thank you my friend.

ATS is currently telling me I need 50 more charachters though! I really just want to stick with the Protoplasmic Traveler characther though!

Wow! There is an ATS God after saying that ATS God concurs and tells me I need no more Charachters!

I hope they will let me keep this one? Maybe a disguise? Some fake sunglasses and a nose and mustaches?

I completely understand the premise and reasoning of ATS encouraging full and complete discussions.

But I am a supporter of SWYM - "Say What You Mean" - don't drown it.

Why elaborate beyond "point made".

reply to post by John Matrix


Speak for yourself please, I actually applaud this move and I believe it can only ultimately improve the quality and readability of discussions.

If you have to write more than you quote, then unnecessary quotes will be fewer and smaller.

Most people will actually have to put deeper thought into that which they are about to write... How can that be a bad thing?

Sorry I do not see anything bad in this move the site has made.

In fact it can only ultimately improve on what is already a great place to discuss alternative topics and news.

Okay I have a question

If you make a large quote, it's removed by staff
I'm guessing because it's putting unecessary weight on your database in terms of data size.

Makes sense.

But wouldn't this do the same?

Of course many posts will be pointless, take this post for example.
I would have easily gotten my point accross without the 200character minimum.

in my opinion this is just encouraging fillers on a massive scale.

reply to post by Ant4AU


ANT....was just trying to lighten the mood....sorry if it ruffled your scales....

Since this is Board Biz, I hoped to give someone a chuckle....