quote JacqueseVonRIPNot necessarily, though proof of current related activity does help make the case for a new forum's viability. Proof of existing activity, however, is not the be-all and end-all for determining whether a new forum needs to be created — other factors are also involved, such as the benefit to the members and to Neoseeker as a whole, etc. Aside from the game forums (which only need a profile to be created), there's no set formula for determining whether a forum should be created or not, which is why we have these kinds of threads. =^^=As for other forums, you're basically saying that for people to prove LGBT warrants it's own forum it must build up enough activity in another forum first?
quote HraefnYeah, I was thinking that about game related forums. As for other forums, you're basically saying that for people to prove LGBT warrants it's own forum it must build up enough activity in another forum first?Each profile (game, movie, etc.) automatically has a forum created for it. Most of the "dead forums" are those of older games that aren't played much these days. As long as there's a profile of it, then there's always going to be a corresponding forum regardless of whether or not people post in it. Even so, Neo frowns upon arbitrary closing forums for lack of activity — perhaps activity may pick up someday, who knows?
Forum merges are done on occasion for cross-platform game forums, general game forums, etc. Non-gaming forums like lounges and special interest forums, on the other hand, are rarely (if ever) merged. I don't even remember something like that happening. More often than not, a forum is split up when certain discussions within the forum have reached a point where its own dedicated forum is warranted (eg. Paranormal, Dreams, Academia, etc).
quote JacqueseVonRIPEach profile (game, movie, etc.) automatically has a forum created for it. Most of the "dead forums" are those of older games that aren't played much these days. As long as there's a profile of it, then there's always going to be a corresponding forum regardless of whether or not people post in it. Even so, Neo frowns upon arbitrarily closing forums for lack of activity — perhaps activity may pick up someday, who knows?1)Since you're talking about dead forums, is there anyway to close dead forums or at the very least remove them from the forums list and make them unaccessible?
quote JacqueseVonRIPForum merges are done on occasion for cross-platform game forums, general game forums, etc. Non-gaming forums like lounges and special interest forums, on the other hand, are rarely (if ever) merged. I don't even remember something like that happening. More often than not, a forum is split up when certain discussions within the forum have reached a point where its own dedicated forum is warranted (eg. Paranormal, Dreams, Academia, etc).2)If a forum does end up dying out, would it not be possible to "remove" it by merging it with another forum. For eg, if the LGBT forum was made but started dying out, would it be possible to just merge it's contents with the Loungin' forum?
quote AuroraNo, it isn't meant to be, which is why it would be hard to generate serious discussion on a topic related to homosexuality.Loungin' is hardly a good example of a forum with quality discussion, and it isn't meant to be.
quote AuroraIt would probably be better for the site to remove forums that have become extinct, so as to make way for other forums and keep themselves from, as you put it, being spread too thin. There is currently no forum for the gay community on Neo to be themselves and to discuss issues related to their lives. There's a fitness forum to discuss such things, but that is regarding health, not sexuality. Sexuality plays a massive role in peoples' lives as well, and to provide a sometimes necessary outlet and basis for discussion amongst the community is hard to perceive as being frivolous, or not worth the effort.And that's exactly the problem -- Neoseeker's community is being spread too thinly across numerous low-activity forums. I fear that this would be another one of those forums which is made and just turns out to be a total wasteland, as we've all seen many many times before. Ultimately, it'd probably better for the site to not create these forums, but to attempt to consolidate and unify discussion wherever possible.
quote AuroraThose forums deal with such things in a far more consistent manner. TL does not reward people for trolling, but rather their knowledge on a range of subjects. No, the forum is not utterly devoid of stupidity, but they make their best effort to limit, and where possible, eliminate it. It would be nice to see the same sort of effort implemented in another serious forum that is not one that is simply argument based.Maybe in Loungin' you'll get lots of trolling idiots and jokers, but what about other forums? If a similar experience is seen in some of the more mature forums, then I doubt that even a dedicated LGBT forum would be free of it.
quote AuroraFirst of all, yes, homophobic members may be deterred from participating in a homosexual-oriented forum. However, those who are curious, those who are struggling with their own identities, those who are closeted because they are unable to find support elsewhere, those people would all be welcome. A lot of people seem to think of Neoseeker as a home, but a lot of those same people still remain unable to express themselves and to feel comfortable. A forum such as the one proposed is not meant to act as a hideaway, or some kind of secret club. Homosexuals would still post in Loungin', obviously, if they want to discuss the topics there. But when people are feeling self conscious, insecure, or downright depressed about their sexuality, maybe it would be nice for them to have a place to turn to.It may not be intentional, but it still seems a veiled LGBT Social Forum is being peddled here. Yes, you'll let non-homosexuals in, but some of those will just cause trouble, while others will have little interest in the discussions within. Point is, the forum is going to be largely aimed at homosexual members who wish to discuss topics related to their sexuality. Debates about any aspects of homosexuality between the two groups really belong in TL.
quote AuroraIf the forum is just going to die eventually then there's really no need to worry about spreading too thin. I know this doesn't support my argument at all, but it just seems a bit opposite there to worry about losing activity to a forum that you clearly think will be a desert.And that's exactly the problem -- Neoseeker's community is being spread too thinly across numerous low-activity forums. I fear that this would be another one of those forums which is made and just turns out to be a total wasteland, as we've all seen many many times before. Ultimately, it'd probably better for the site to not create these forums, but to attempt to consolidate and unify discussion wherever possible.
quote AuroraYou get the trolling idiots in TL too. We obviously know there will be people that come in just to start arguments, but our point was that at least the forum itself will give the illustion of a safe haven.Maybe in Loungin' you'll get lots of trolling idiots and jokers, but what about other forums? If a similar experience is seen in some of the more mature forums, then I doubt that even a dedicated LGBT forum would be free of it.
quote AuroraYes, that's pretty much the gist of it. I really don't see the problem here. Isn't that the point of having a forum though? So like-minded people have a place to go to share their interests without the social stigma that may be present in other forums?It may not be intentional, but it still seems a veiled LGBT Social Forum is being peddled here. Yes, you'll let non-homosexuals in, but some of those will just cause trouble, while others will have little interest in the discussions within. Point is, the forum is going to be largely aimed at homosexual members who wish to discuss topics related to their sexuality. Debates about any aspects of homosexuality between the two groups really belong in TL.
quote ArchangelLoungin' is hardly a good example of a forum with quality discussion, and it isn't meant to be.Why do people keep insisting that it's going to be an exclusive forum for only gay members? Yes, it's focused towards LGBT people but it's not like we're going to restrict access to the heteros. You may not think a lot of the threads would have much discussion value, but let's be realistic, how many threads in Loungin' have actual discussions happening? The vast majority of the time it's either people trolling, insulting, or trying (and failing) to be funny.
quote ArchangelAnd that's exactly the problem -- Neoseeker's community is being spread too thinly across numerous low-activity forums. I fear that this would be another one of those forums which is made and just turns out to be a total wasteland, as we've all seen many many times before. Ultimately, it'd probably better for the site to not create these forums, but to attempt to consolidate and unify discussion wherever possible.But really, how many of the social forums/special interest forums have continued discussion over the years? Not many.
quote ArchangelMaybe in Loungin' you'll get lots of trolling idiots and jokers, but what about other forums? If a similar experience is seen in some of the more mature forums, then I doubt that even a dedicated LGBT forum would be free of it.And like we've said many, many times before - a very high percentage of topics that could be discussed in an LGBT forum would definitely not work anywhere else, so no... they couldn't be discussed in existing forums. As for the others that have said they haven't seen any bigotry, disrespectful comments, or rude behavior towards LGBT in previous threads haven't really be watching, nor do I think it would even register to some people that, hey, that might not be the most appropriate thing to say. You could say a lot of those comments were meant as jokes, or weren't intended to be hurtful, but a lot of people still may take offense to those statements especially if they're not aware of the person's humor.
quote ArchangelIt may not be intentional, but it still seems a veiled LGBT Social Forum is being peddled here. Yes, you'll let non-homosexuals in, but some of those will just cause trouble, while others will have little interest in the discussions within. Point is, the forum is going to be largely aimed at homosexual members who wish to discuss topics related to their sexuality. Debates about any aspects of homosexuality between the two groups really belong in TL.Why do people keep insisting that it's going to be an exclusive forum for only gay members?
quote AuroraMost of the topics Archangel listed are not appropriate for other forums, do you honestly think you could have a reasonable discussion about homosexuality in Loungin'? I've even seen ... disrespectful... comments in the localized forums (which are dead, anyway).There are frequently many topics which a forum could cover, but that doesn't mean that the forum will actually be active. A lot of the topics which you listed don't really have extensive discussion value. All I can picture the forum being used for is the occasional advice thread and a bit of discussion among Neoseeker's current gay members (the proportion of which who'll participate may be small). I doubt that the former will be particularly sustained, as gay members will post in the forum initially, but then burn out due to lack of new faces or topics in the forum -- and in any case it just makes the LGBT forum more of an exclusive social forum than anything else, and I don't like the sound of that. A lot of these things could be discussed in existing forums.
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