So despite a lot of bullshit drama, two things were produced from this thread:
squattheplanet.com
First, is that we should look into giving people power to promote or smite posts using the post rating system. This can definitely be accomplished, although it will take some time for me to get set up properly. The way I see this happening is setting the post ratings system to hide posts that receive a certain number of negative ratings (i.e. 10) and maybe even promote threads to our 'best of' section (say, 20 positive votes).
Hidden posts can still be viewed by clicking on the 'show post' link where the post was automatically collapsed/hidden by the system. Promoted threads will end up in the 'Best of StP' section so they don't get buried under less useful threads. It should be noted that staff will still be able to promote good content without it necessarily reaching 20 positive ratings. It should also be noted that for a thread to 'automatically promote' to the Best of StP section, it needs to get 20 positive votes on the first post in the thread, not any comments following it (this is a limitation of the forum software). So unfortunately, posts inside a thread cannot be promoted to the Best of StP section.
The only problem with this is users are generally extremely hesitant to give other users negative post ratings, and other users freak out when they get a negative rating, kind of treating it like a personal attack. My idea for negating this is by encouraging users to rate posts both negatively and positively as they see fit and make it clear it's not personal. I think one way of doing this would be by bringing back the 'trophies' system, where we used to get little badges for certain amount of posts in a forum, getting a certain amount of positive ratings on your content, etc. Although I'd probably rename it the badges system and make each one a more 'punk/traveler' version of a scout merit badge. Theoretically, you could get badges for giving negative ratings, but that's a dangerous slope to someone just posting poop ratings on everything in sight, but it's a thought.
It also occurs to me that we'll probably need to add/remove some post ratings in order to give enough / appropriate ratings for this new system.
So I'm starting this new thread to get away from the other one and keep things on topic, and also to make a poll for people to vote on.
The second item that came out of the above thread was giving users the ability to vote on user bans laid down by the staff and potentially reverse them. We'll address that in a new thread located here:
squattheplanet.com
In the meantime is the above a good idea? Vote in the poll and discuss it here (poll will close in 14 days and you can change your vote any time before then).
On bans and power dynamics - Squat the Planet
I feel like I've seen a trend of STP users getting banned pretty consistently over the years for shit that didn't seem right. It sometimes feels a liiiiitle bit power trippy to be honest. In this -don't cross me or you'll be sorry- kinda way. There's been all kindsa fools being shitty with...
First, is that we should look into giving people power to promote or smite posts using the post rating system. This can definitely be accomplished, although it will take some time for me to get set up properly. The way I see this happening is setting the post ratings system to hide posts that receive a certain number of negative ratings (i.e. 10) and maybe even promote threads to our 'best of' section (say, 20 positive votes).
Hidden posts can still be viewed by clicking on the 'show post' link where the post was automatically collapsed/hidden by the system. Promoted threads will end up in the 'Best of StP' section so they don't get buried under less useful threads. It should be noted that staff will still be able to promote good content without it necessarily reaching 20 positive ratings. It should also be noted that for a thread to 'automatically promote' to the Best of StP section, it needs to get 20 positive votes on the first post in the thread, not any comments following it (this is a limitation of the forum software). So unfortunately, posts inside a thread cannot be promoted to the Best of StP section.
The only problem with this is users are generally extremely hesitant to give other users negative post ratings, and other users freak out when they get a negative rating, kind of treating it like a personal attack. My idea for negating this is by encouraging users to rate posts both negatively and positively as they see fit and make it clear it's not personal. I think one way of doing this would be by bringing back the 'trophies' system, where we used to get little badges for certain amount of posts in a forum, getting a certain amount of positive ratings on your content, etc. Although I'd probably rename it the badges system and make each one a more 'punk/traveler' version of a scout merit badge. Theoretically, you could get badges for giving negative ratings, but that's a dangerous slope to someone just posting poop ratings on everything in sight, but it's a thought.
It also occurs to me that we'll probably need to add/remove some post ratings in order to give enough / appropriate ratings for this new system.
So I'm starting this new thread to get away from the other one and keep things on topic, and also to make a poll for people to vote on.
The second item that came out of the above thread was giving users the ability to vote on user bans laid down by the staff and potentially reverse them. We'll address that in a new thread located here:
Let users overturn account bans with a 2/3rd majority - Squat the Planet
So one of the good arguments to come out of this thread was giving users the ability to overturn a ban handed down by the staff with a poll that would be placed in the den of the banned thread with the details of why the user was banned. As stated in the title, the poll would have two options a...
In the meantime is the above a good idea? Vote in the poll and discuss it here (poll will close in 14 days and you can change your vote any time before then).
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