OK, we're gettng a little annoyed here!

[Enkhidu]

Based on personal past experiences with that kind of thing, one side would push the other out, through sheer volume, after a giant flame war. The forum would end up either pro or anti 4e with little to no room for anyone of the opposing viewpoint. After that time flames would die down, but as soon as someone of the opposite view decided to post, they would be flamed so hard that they would immediately leave, rinse, repeat.

At least that's what I've seen happen with non-rpg related things.

You can point to the dragonsfoot brouhaha a few years ago for exactly the same thing. Such purges create a type of harmony within the community, and in some circles are considered a good thing.

One of the biggest reasons ENWorld is so successful is that it started out as pro 3e site with comparatively little dissension. What dissension did arise was quickly spun off into sister sites when Eric Noah's board spawned this one.

 

[MojoGM]

But this is of course taking it to the extreme. Nobody is advocating the removal of all rules, or suggesting that swears, personal attacks, and outright rudeness be tolerated.

You're right, it WOULD make this an unpleasant place to visit.

What I'm suggesting is that aside from TOTALLY derailing a thread with insults or attacks, cursing, or racially charged language (and keep the politics/religion ban) you let threads go where they may, perhaps popping in to issue a warning or banning someone if they cross the line.

Just a test, that's all. A social experiment...

 

[billd91]

So what would happen then? Utter chaos? Excitement? Laughter? Anger? Tears? Would the passive-aggressiveness be drastically reduced? All of the above? Would there be MORE tension in the forums LONG-TERM than there is now, or LESS? Would ENWorld be better for the change, or worse? Or would it be NEITHER better nor worse, but instead just....."DIFFERENT"?

We've already got that. It's called Circvs Maximvs and it does get a little testy over there. Most of it is reasonably good natured, but not all of it. For more useful, on-topic gaming discussion, I prefer ENWorld as it is.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

We've already got that. It's called Circvs Maximvs and it does get a little testy over there. Most of it is reasonably good natured, but not all of it. For more useful, on-topic gaming discussion, I prefer ENWorld as it is.

Yep, I lurk on Circvs Maximvs once in a while when the mood strikes me, but I can only take it in small doses. I much prefer the way EN World is, even when it gets a little bit testy because I know there is a limit to how far it can go before something is done by the mods.

I deal with enough BS in real life, I don't need more of it on an internet message board.

 

[Wormwood]

This goes back to what others have said about people needing to develop thicker skin. Nothing posted on a message board should really have the ability to "hurt" someone. And if it does, that person needs to get a little tougher.

It's not a matter of being "hurt". It's a matter of not wanting wanting to deal with unpleasantness.

This a forum for discussion, not 'character building'. I would rather we all developed better manners rather than thicker skins.

 

[MojoGM]

It's not a matter of being "hurt". It's a matter of not wanting wanting to deal with unpleasantness.

This a forum for discussion, not 'character building'. I would rather we all developed better manners rather than thicker skins.

Ah, but that's why they invented the IGNORE function. Never used it myself, but I'm told it works wonders...

 

[EricNoah]

I wish I had some words of wisdom to offer. However, Russ and the crew are in uncharted territory. I appreciate their dedication to making this place as fun as it can be for the vast majority who are here.

There will always be those who think there is too little moderation, and those who think there is too much. And each of us will have our own little online "pet peeves" that we just wish would go away. (My own is the rude/outraged 3E grognard -- those of us who were around when 3E was in development and brand new should be setting a good example of how to behave when a new edition is on the horizon, even if we aren't moving on to the new edition.)

This is a very interesting time to be an ENW member. I hope the golden rule -- post as you would have others post, lead by example -- will be every bit as applicable in ENW's future as it was in my era.

 

[MojoGM]

This is a very interesting time to be an ENW member. I hope the golden rule -- post as you would have others post, lead by example -- will be every bit as applicable in ENW's future as it was in my era.

I do too, and I hope I'm not giving the wrong impression. I'm not advocating a free-for-all, wild west landscape.

Hey, whatever Russ decides to do I'll still be here every day when I SHOULD be actually doing the work my company pays me for.

I've checked out a few other RPG sites but somehow I always end up back here. And for good reason.

 

[Cadfan]

Ah, but that's why they invented the IGNORE function. Never used it myself, but I'm told it works wonders...

I use it. Its remarkably unsatisfying, and has certain downsides.

The problem is that the people who annoy the crap out of me aren't the dyed in the wool trolls. I know how to deal with them, I don't care what they think anyways, plus, the moderators usually ban those guys pretty quick.

The people who annoy the crap out of me are the ones who usually post reasonable things, but who post snide, unjustifiable, passive aggressive insults for every 10th post. I've been hitting "Ignore" on some of them recently, and it messes up my ability to follow the threads in which those persons are being rational. There's little as annoying as reading a thread that you really like, then noticing from who the other participants are quoting that the whole conversation has turned to discussion of some interesting points by someone you put on ignore.

 

[Obryn]

Well, I seldom post here.

I will say that I greatly prefer low-moderation boards. They're more fun and IMHO things tend to work a lot more smoothly when you can call people on their bull. On the other hand, we already have a few of those. I frequent the Circvs and therpgsite, for example, in addition to various other boards of Nutkinland descent. I don't really think I need another. I also respect the fact that what I want out of a messageboard isn't what everyone else does - some folks prefer snide, passive-aggressive swipes to hilarious aggressive-aggressive flames . To each their own.

ENWorld with less moderation would just be a much bigger Circvs Maximvs. I don't think there's anything to be gained by that. If someone wants unmoderated discussion, they can just saunter on over there. It's not like it's locked from new membership or anything.

-O