Peblo Custom ratings must be 50 characters or less
Registered 05/07/2002
Points 185
20th January, 2009 at 22:06:16 -
I have no emotional attachment to my side of things, I just imagine it a better future for TDC. People can still do exactly what they would like, and anyone who likes this way personally for themselves can adopt it along with me. I'm not starting a conflict, I'm instigating an opportunity.
"Isn't it always amazing how we characterize a person's intelligence by how closely their thinking matches ours?"
~Belgarath
Topic locks are frustrating sometimes but necessary. Is what you want to say in an internet argument all that important anyway?
People argue not just here but in real life anyway. Sometimes the best thing is to stop them. For the people who are arguing, it can be annoying, (I've been plenty frustrated when trying to sort something out with my brother and being stopped by dad.) but if a topic escalates to a point where it needs to be locked, the arguers are immature enough that no amount of time would be enough for them to sort it.
So really, you ought to be asking admins to really think before they lock a topic, and stay objective. My only beef with some recent locks is that occasionally they are because the admin had some sort of emotional involvement with the argument or got frustrated in a manner unfitting of an admin. (Not wrong to get frustrated, they just didn't react properly. )
Dunno if that is worded the way I'm thinking of... but meh.
It's our job to watch ourselves personally and pay attention to the admins; as well as to make sure the admins we nominate use their discretion wisely. There are no blanket solutions for any problem.
Edited by OMC
Peblo Custom ratings must be 50 characters or less
Registered 05/07/2002
Points 185
20th January, 2009 at 22:51:13 -
Hmm, indeed. I can see where the topic locks can be helpful, currently anyways. In that case, the main focus should be on improving the member community spirit, in the long run rendering the need for topic locks. The main way to do this is to really understand each member's point of view before arguing/debating against it. Ask questions before assuming, you know?
One simple step.
"Isn't it always amazing how we characterize a person's intelligence by how closely their thinking matches ours?"
~Belgarath
That nobody does. The real first step is teaching our children common sense and courtesy. So TDC may be doomed for the current generation.
But yea, if we get down to it, the real issue is people being rude and argumentative. (And sometimes stupid) If it were easy to fix things like that, the world would be perfect.
Originally Posted by OldManClayton
But yea, if we get down to it, the real issue is people being rude and argumentative. (And sometimes stupid) If it were easy to fix things like that, the world would be perfect.
That's exactly it.
Good to see theres a hopeful bunch around here rising against the descending immaturity and the unfortunate side-effect of topics being locked.
I don't really think letting people say what they want will allow everything to be resolved.
Although locking a topic doesn't seem to make any difference in the long run it certainly stops out of control threads dead in their tracks.
(when actually used on an out of control thread and not ones the Admins decide might be heading in the wrong direction possibly maybe)
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Peblo Custom ratings must be 50 characters or less
Registered 05/07/2002
Points 185
21st January, 2009 at 00:46:18 -
No no, in fact, I think that locking a topic can give people time to cool off and analyze their own perspective and if it's truly how they feel about such argumentative issues. It's just when locks hurt the discussion since no one else can do the topic justice rationally.
"Isn't it always amazing how we characterize a person's intelligence by how closely their thinking matches ours?"
~Belgarath
The only time thread locking pisses me off is when an admin abuses it by having their say and throwing out their personal opinions before locking the thread, so that no one can reply to that.
Stupid idea: When people fight, lock them into a topic where they continue their fight until the conflict is resolved. They can only post in this topic until an admin decides they've resolved the issue. Again, that was a stupid idea.
Also, I'm no longer Psuedo-HD Rikus, as Rikus changed his avatar.
In the past admins have had a last say on the thread before locking it, but it's kinda been agreed on that any admins that have been personally related to on the thread can't lock it. Or front page their games, articles, projects. Or recommend their own games. That sort of thing. These days, even when locking your own topic, the admin usually doesn't comment on anything, other than why the topic was locked, because it might be considered "a statement nobody could reply to".
Anyway, from what I've seen, topic locks are a way to keep the flames from getting bigger. And since TDCers have a habit of straying far off topic, topic locks tend to occur to cut that habit.
Topics in other forums are locked much more quickly, IMHO. It's just that TDCers don't grasp the idea that starting fights on threads or derailing them from the original post is a bad thing. Heck, almost every forum I know have a "Random Thoughts/Babble thread", so you could let out whatever you feel like talking about or spamming, without messing up someone's thread.
What I don't like are topic deletions. Now those are annoying. I'm grateful for whoever coded in the topic locking.
Originally Posted by RedEchidna And now this is the part where an admin ironically comes in and locks this topic! *shot*
Administrative Message: This topic has been locked.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
, IMHO. It's just that TDCers don't grasp the idea that starting fights on threads or derailing them from the original post is a bad thing.
I don't think derailing is a bad thing. Most conversations gradually change In real life. Could you imagine how annoying it would be if while talking someone yells at you "OFF TOPIC" as the conversation gradually changes.
Originally Posted by OldManClayton Topic locks are frustrating sometimes but necessary. Is what you want to say in an internet argument all that important anyway?
People argue not just here but in real life anyway. Sometimes the best thing is to stop them. For the people who are arguing, it can be annoying, (I've been plenty frustrated when trying to sort something out with my brother and being stopped by dad.) but if a topic escalates to a point where it needs to be locked, the arguers are immature enough that no amount of time would be enough for them to sort it.
So really, you ought to be asking admins to really think before they lock a topic, and stay objective. My only beef with some recent locks is that occasionally they are because the admin had some sort of emotional involvement with the argument or got frustrated in a manner unfitting of an admin. (Not wrong to get frustrated, they just didn't react properly. )
Dunno if that is worded the way I'm thinking of... but meh.
It's our job to watch ourselves personally and pay attention to the admins; as well as to make sure the admins we nominate use their discretion wisely. There are no blanket solutions for any problem.
i whole heartedly agree with this. its like they say. "arguing on the internet is like racing in the special olympics. even if you win, youre still retarded."
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Edited by OMC
(And sometimes stupid) 
