General Chat and Forum Upgrades [Archive]

The_Hawk

07-08-2009, 01:44 PM

As you may have noticed, the name of the General section is once again General Discussion. I think we can all agree that we do not want to have the sort of ill will in the community the changes caused.

The SuperMod's, Mod's and Admin are here to make this community a better place for everyone, changes are not made simply to irritate people, choices are made and things are done because it is perceived that it's in the best interest of the smooth running of the community.
As in life, sometimes these decisions don't pan out as well as they were intended, at these times we need to be big enough do stand up and acknowledge that and move on. While we all have different opinions of what should and should not be covered in our forums, the reality is that as a community we do have to cater to many different people.

In acknowledgement of this General Chat will once again become an open forum and the ability to post comments has been re-introduced into the classified sections.

In other news the version of the software running our forums was updated last night, the next few weeks will see the introduction of some of the new features we now have available, for example you may have already noticed the prefixes in the classifieds areas. Some other minor changes like individual spotted threads may also make a comeback. If you have any suggestions on amalgamating sections or new sections please head over to this thread (http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?p=367374) and leave your suggestions.

quozl

07-08-2009, 01:52 PM

DubSteve

07-08-2009, 01:59 PM

I'm sorry guys but I think that alot of damage has been done to alot of the long time members, it was great while it lasted :(

brad

07-08-2009, 02:28 PM

That's a really good decision (all those reversals). Thank you Mod team.

I'm confused why you would delete the two (three?) threads discussing the issue. It's not like you can give us all mind altering substances so that we forget it ever happened.

Rocket36

07-08-2009, 02:54 PM

Good to see common sense has prevailed, just as I was typing my farewell post. Now if you can cut down your team to a sensible half a dozen from the 40 or so you have currently you will be in good shape. Until then I'm not holding my breath for the draconian moderating policies to rectify themselves any time soon.

That's a really good decision (all those reversals). Thank you Mod team.

I'm confused why you would delete the two (three?) threads discussing the issue. It's not like you can give us all mind altering substances so that we forget it ever happened.

Couldn't agree more with both these posts...

First thing I noticed was that some very serious, and for the most part constructive, threads have been deleted for no good reason. Why cant they still be there? Lock themm if you like but people should still have a chance to read them. Hence what quozl has said above regarding the draconian moderating is still very much a concern. Will see how it pans out but in my opinion, whilever there are around 40 moderators (far too many for ANY forum) there will never been decent moderation. The moderation team needs to be small and work closely together...

Hopefully things will improve but really, only time will tell..... But I don't recommend anyone holds their breath.

Cheers,
Kris

gregozedobe

07-08-2009, 03:57 PM

..... General Chat will once again become an open forum .....

Thank you all, I believe that is the right decision. :)

Preen59

07-08-2009, 04:06 PM

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. Let's see how it all pans out, eh? :)

Manaz

07-08-2009, 04:22 PM

Rocket36

07-08-2009, 04:57 PM

Fair enough... Although I disagree regarding nasty things being said.

VW Convert

07-08-2009, 05:17 PM

Regarding the decision doing damage - give the site admins a break - they tried something they thought was in the interests of the site, that trial has proven to be not so popular, so they've reversed the decision because they realise that the community had different ideas. We all make mistakes, it'd be nice if we weren't all punished until the end of time for them...

Regarding deleting posts - with the rule reversed, I don't actually see the point in keeping the threads that argued for that reversal. To be honest, there were some nasty things said in those threads about the admin and mod teams when they were just trying to do the right thing, I really don't think it serves anyone's purposes to have them lying around keeping the wounds that have been caused open longer than necessary.

I'm sure the changes were made in good faith and with good motive and reversing the changes was a sign that the people were heard.

I don't have a problem with deleting the thread but the problem I see is that any wound requires treatment to heal, simply pretending it is not there will only cause it to fester.

There were some quite inappropriate comments made that will not be forgotten by the recipients (not myself) and some on this site have damaged their standing in my eyes. I wonder will they man up and make amends?

A sad couple of days for this forum, I hope we can get back to the way things were.

Cheers

George

VW Convert

07-08-2009, 05:18 PM

Fair enough... Although I disagree regarding nasty things being said.

Something's wrong Rocket, second time today I've found myself agreeing with you! :biggrin:

Cheers

George

Rocket36

07-08-2009, 05:28 PM

Something's wrong Rocket, second time today I've found myself agreeing with you! :biggrin:

Cheers

George

:D LOL!!! Over the last two days I've had so many people say similar things to me...... I guess I did start out on the wrong foot regarding how people perceived me but I believe that's changed (or is at least changing).

Here's to only improving this community from now on I say! It has potential, but it needs to be left alone sometimes to find its own way.

Cheers!
Kris
:drinkbeer:

Swallowtail

07-08-2009, 05:31 PM

There's been a lot said, both in the general forums and also behind closed doors in the mod sections, that needs to be now forgotten and put behind us all.

It's not been an easy time - a decision was made that as mods and admins we have to take 'credit' for, and the response has been loud and clear. The response of the admin and mods has been to listen and change - please take that as it is intended, which is a desire to continue for this to be a good online community where all veedubbers and those with related interests can come and socialise, enjoy sharing knowledge and interests, and help each other.

There is a forum for suggestions - please post there if you have ideas.

There is a great expression that I was reminded of the other day - "if you are not prepared to be a part of the solution, you forfeit the right to complain". If you don't like something - tell us why, and what you would like to see. Clear, reasonable and constructive comments will be taken on board.

The reason this is all happening is because the mods and admins are genuinely interested in making this place better, and some things do need to change. These changes will happen. Some will work, some will not. But the reason they are being made is because the admins want to make the place better, not sabotage it.

Happy dubbing....

maca

07-08-2009, 07:22 PM

:D LOL!!! Over the last two days I've had so many people say similar things to me...... I guess I did start out on the wrong foot regarding how people perceived me but I believe that's changed (or is at least changing).

Here's to only improving this community from now on I say! It has potential, but it needs to be left alone sometimes to find its own way.

Cheers!
Kris
:drinkbeer:
And i'll agree with you also.

This place is a community and the community has a right to decide how the community is run. As it's been mentioned - something was tried and it didn't go down well, so it was put back to the way it was.

Also, when we have "40 moderators". I don't think people realise that they are all dedicated to a certain section of the forum. For example, I can only moderate the Mk5 sections and nothing else. Only a handful of people moderate each section...

Golf Loon

07-08-2009, 07:43 PM

Regarding the decision doing damage - give the site admins a break - they tried something they thought was in the interests of the site, that trial has proven to be not so popular, so they've reversed the decision because they realise that the community had different ideas. We all make mistakes, it'd be nice if we weren't all punished until the end of time for them...

Regarding deleting posts - with the rule reversed, I don't actually see the point in keeping the threads that argued for that reversal. To be honest, there were some nasty things said in those threads about the admin and mod teams when they were just trying to do the right thing, I really don't think it serves anyone's purposes to have them lying around keeping the wounds that have been caused open longer than necessary.

Thanks Manaz. Sensible words.
It would be good if we can just accept that this was a time of flux and to decision of the users has been followed.
Hopefully now we can move forward with a happy and friendly VWW.

Also, when we have "40 moderators". I don't think people realise that they are all dedicated to a certain section of the forum. For example, I can only moderate the Mk5 sections and nothing else. Only a handful of people moderate each section...

Thats a true word and by having a couple of people on each section it means no-one has to work too hard and burn out and sections can be moderated by those with an interest in that section, the users.

Preen59

07-08-2009, 08:16 PM

Holy new colours, Batman! :eek:

I like it. Nice change. :drinkbeer:

maca

07-08-2009, 08:42 PM

Holy new colours, Batman! :eek:

I like it. Nice change. :drinkbeer:
Bottom left hand corner will let you change the style of the forum...

The_Hawk

07-08-2009, 08:53 PM

Bottom left hand corner will let you change the style of the forum...

At least it will when there are multiple styles to choose from... at the moment we are playing with that function ;)

Golf Loon

07-08-2009, 09:05 PM

Holy new colours, Batman! :eek:

I like it. Nice change. :drinkbeer:

Yup nice work Hawk.
Go the update software :)

The_Hawk

07-08-2009, 09:11 PM

Well, there should be one style there for everyone to play with...

More will come eventually ;)

Preen59

07-08-2009, 09:45 PM

Bottom left hand corner will let you change the style of the forum...

Woah! That's cool as. Loving the silver/metallic one. Oh yeah. :drinkbeer:

maca

07-08-2009, 09:55 PM

Holy new colours, Batman! :eek:

I like it. Nice change. :drinkbeer:

Woah! That's cool as. Loving the silver/metallic one. Oh yeah. :drinkbeer:

Your smilie is an alcoholic.:troll:

Swallowtail

07-08-2009, 09:55 PM

Your smilie is an alcoholic.:troll:

LOL Maca - you HAD to be the first to use it right? :D :emo_baghead:

Peter Jones

07-08-2009, 10:09 PM

Your smilie is an alcoholic.:troll:

LOL Maca - you HAD to be the first to use it right? :D :emo_baghead:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2009/08/feedgif-1.jpg

Pete

maca

07-08-2009, 10:17 PM

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2009/08/feedgif-1.jpg

Pete
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2009/08/super-1.jpg

AusScare

07-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Loving the new layouts, and the emoticons are mad hahah nice.

The_Hawk

08-08-2009, 12:19 AM

It doesn't seem to work in the DubDub002 template, but look for the word "Arcade" in the menu bar at the top of the page...

;) :banana: :banana:

Mrk_Mickey

08-08-2009, 11:04 AM

To everyone, not just the public or just the mod team,

I am really relieved that this is being sorted. To put it simply, the last two or so days have been white noise for this forum. I think it has all been dealt with and I also think that it is important that we forgive and forget, on both accounts. There were some heated statements thrown around to both mods and general members, and I personally apologise for any of those I was a part of.

I'm here now for the future of this forum, as I am very excited to see the turn around because I feel it's going to be good. At the end of the day, we're all mates here...best way to let this forum take its place is to give it some time and employ the ''she'll be right mate!'' attitude. It's going to get much better :)

Cheers!

Rocket36

08-08-2009, 04:34 PM

I'm here now for the future of this forum, as I am very excited to see the turn around because I feel it's going to be good. At the end of the day, we're all mates here...best way to let this forum take its place is to give it some time and employ the ''she'll be right mate!'' attitude. It's going to get much better :)Cheers!

:bowdown: +1

That's pretty much exactly what I've been thinking and trying to say the whole time.

Satanstoenail

08-08-2009, 07:21 PM

Glad to see order has been restored and admin has taken the pleas of many on board, however can I ask what's going on with the Spotted section? All the threads are locked...

Treza360

08-08-2009, 07:40 PM

Glad to see order has been restored and admin has taken the pleas of many on board, however can I ask what's going on with the Spotted section? All the threads are locked...
Yeah dunno why they are locked. The Hawk has done it though and the question has been asked as to why. I wouldn't worry though, I'm sure it'll be back. Something to do with the forum software upgrade is my thought.
Cheers,
Trent

Preen59

08-08-2009, 07:56 PM

Your smilie is an alcoholic.:troll:

In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community

Hey come on! I post relevant AND useful information MOST of the time... :confused:

maca

09-08-2009, 01:28 AM

Hey come on! I post relevant AND useful information MOST of the time... :confused:
LOL Preeny don't worry, my ignorance has prevailed once again!

I truly had no idea what "troll" meant in Internet slang...

The_Hawk

09-08-2009, 11:57 AM

Glad to see order has been restored and admin has taken the pleas of many on board, however can I ask what's going on with the Spotted section? All the threads are locked...

The spotted section is now open for posting the way it used to be, one section where each person can post up a new thread about something they have seen. Just like the classifieds, each post is tagged with a prefix showing which state it was in... all in pretty State colours :)

MattyT

09-08-2009, 03:57 PM

WOAH, HELLO. I'm a little hungover right now and my eyes just got a load full of the new site layout. INTERESTING!

joshyd-mk2gti

09-08-2009, 05:00 PM

not a fan of the new theme, tbh. too dark, it's not a heavy metal forum. don't like the blingy unevenly spaced vw logos or that dagger looking thing in the top right. revert back pls.

phaeton

09-08-2009, 05:05 PM

Love the chat system; its about time :D

Satanstoenail

09-08-2009, 05:08 PM

not a fan of the new theme, tbh. too dark, it's not a heavy metal forum. don't like the blingy unevenly spaced vw logos or that dagger looking thing in the top right. revert back pls.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and on the left there is a drop down menu, pick "default style". I'm not a fan of the new one either, and I love metal.

The_Hawk

09-08-2009, 06:08 PM

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and on the left there is a drop down menu, pick "default style". I'm not a fan of the new one either, and I love metal.

Yep, you can do that, but the change to the new style was a test to make sure it worked, default is once again... well, the default ;)

Users can still choose the black style if they want by selecting it down the bottom left, more styles may be coming soon too :)