What can we do to make ENWorld friendlier?

Some people have noticed that ENWorld isn't quite as friendly these days as it used to be. The fact that the last thread on this subject (sorry if this thread is too similar. I'm hoping this one is different enough to not be breaking the rules) was closed due to not being very friendly says to me that we should take a more pro-active stance on making things better.

So, what kind of suggestions do you guys have to make this place better?

My personal suggestion: allow more posts to stay on the front page of a forum. Over time, there seems to me to be an increase in the number of threads in some of the more popular forums (I mainly stick to the Rules forum, but I think this goes for General as well). This leads to threads being pushed off the front page (where people read them more often) quicker. As a consequence of this, the only threads that seem to stay on the front page for a long time are the ones where people post quick, quipy, and more heated (and less thought out) replies, which makes the place seem a lot less friendly. Pushing out threads quicker also lets less people read them (unless they check the boards very often), and stops people from getting to know other posters (especially those that don't post quite as often). I think that this has become a larger problem since the last server update, when (IIRC) the number of posts per page was cut down to help save bandwidth. Another solution addressing the same issue would be to open up new forums or sub-forums.

Be friendly.

Expect same.

Rinse. Repeat.

1. Forum veterans: lead by example, and gently remind newcomers how things are done around here.

2. Newcomers: Follow the rules—written and unwritten—and don't get bent out of shape when someone tries to gently point out what those rules are.

3. Don't be hasty with the "submit reply" button. Read it and reread it.

4. It's only a game. Take a break from the forums or a thread if it makes you that mad.

All the most effective actions are ones in which you address your own behavior.

Lead by example. Don't allow others to get your dander up. If you are annoyed, don't start typing. Understand that the text medium does not allow for inflection, and assume that if a statement couold be read two ways, the intent was the friendlier one.

In general, follow the Golden Rule.

Umbran said:

All the most effective actions are ones in which you address your own behavior.
Lead by example. Don't allow others to get your dander up. If you are annoyed, don't start typing. Understand that the text medium does not allow for inflection, and assume that if a statement couold be read two ways, the intent was the friendlier one.

In general, follow the Golden Rule.

Click to expand...

So important it needs to be repeated.

With COLOUR

This is a post of passion

Use of smiles and/or disclaimers in the post.

Forgive me for my bluntness or don't take this the wrong way

I also think we can use message 'title' more, just say rant or mature subject or angry post or...

Remember that you are posting to a BOARD on the Internet, not responding to one person in a private conversation

Also, if you and one other person have been directly responding to one another's post in the same thread, chances are high that at least one of you may be taking something too personally. Take a step back, relax, and maybe give someone else a chance (hundreds if not thousands here daily, surely someone has a similar opinion and can express it differently since your explaination the first time around did not seem to get through).

Deset Gled said:

So, what kind of suggestions do you guys have to make this place better?

Click to expand...

Free ice cream!

Stiff drinks and a sympathetic ear work wonders for me.

Or are you talking about that kind of 'friendly'?

I find myself at least two or three times a day typing up a reply and then deciding it would add nothing to the conversation, would add to the problem in the first place, or would just plain result in resentments I don't need to carry around right now.

Sometimes it's best to just let it go...

I also tend not to read any thread that goes over 5 pages, purely because from my perspective, the vast majority of the longer threads have become too heated for my tastes and I care more about having a happy experience here than I care about contributing to a heated debate on just about anything.

Another idea I would offer would be this: stop being dismissive of people who disagree with your opinion. I mean, going on to some thread and saying something asinine that devalues someone else's opinion. I mean, I understand that some opinions strike some people as being utterly worthless and devoid of any measure of common sense at all, but it adds nothing of value to point that out.

Ooh, hey. Ultimately, just treat people the way you would like to be treated, and realize that we don't care how things are done on other forums - go there for flames. EN World, like all communities, has its own standards. Learn them or don't post.

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DISCLAIMER: "You" in general, not any one in particular. Meaning the audience, not the original poster.