The State of the Board

It’s time for me to get on my little soapbox.

Does anyone else feel the boards have taken a slight downturn lately? Before Thanksgiving I felt like there had been a change in the quality of the posts. It seemed like people were being repetitive and just posting short answers to questions that were being asked. It felt like people were trying to pad their post count and were less worried about the quality of their posts. I also understand that sometimes a short answer is fine, but it seemed very prevalent before Thanksgiving.

Then when I returned to the boards after the holiday weekend I was even more discouraged. It was filled with, what I felt were, many repetitive/stupid threads. And I have to single a person out, Wraith. It felt like the kid was in love with the site of his screen name.

For example,
Jkaris had wanted members to click on that Sacramento 25. So he posted a link to it in the “Latest News” section, and people could vote on it. Makes sense, good placement, good idea.

Then, some time later Wraith posts this…
http://www.littlerub...bc70f85f4bf66d9
in the “Kinnikuman/…” section. Why? What is the point? There was a note on the main page, it was in the AKIA Latest News thing at the top of the forums, and it was in the “Latest News” section of the threads.

But then jkaris took us off the Sacramento 25, and instead of continuing the conversation in one of the 2 previous threads (I know it is technically one, sense we can’t post in latest news), he starts a brand new thread…
http://www.littlerub...bc70f85f4bf66d9
To me this just seems like over kill, especially since only one person posted in his previous thread and it was about his GIF not the actual topic.

The abundance of “Look at these MUSCLE’s on ebay” posts are getting tired too. If someone, from the board, is selling something, then go ahead and let us know. But we don’t need to know about every single auction that has a MUSCLE in it. Do you know why? Because we can look for ourselves. We can either create our own search of ebay, or we can use the excellent one put together by jkaris (http://www.littlerub...ct=ST&f=11&t=94).

When I found this website it was discussion driven. People would voice a question or concern, then give their feelings, and then allow others to voice their opinion. Most of the time the topic started stayed with the topic posting additional thoughts, not just bumps. Now it feels like topic are started then abandoned, with the only concern being the number of posts.

Lastly I don’t think we need to recruit for this discussion board. I remember reading a link (I’m sorry I can’t post a link, I can’t remember the specific link) and people were saying how we should basically harass people that were selling MUSCLE’s for too much money. And try to get the people bidding on them to join our board. Why? We aren’t the defenders of the MUSCLE universe. Who are we to try and control people’s ebay auctions, and the people that bid on them? If someone wants to say that Meat is extremely rare (get it? Extremely rare Meat? I can be funny and boring at the same time.), charge $10 for him, and people want to bid on it. Fine! Who cares? They aren’t wrecking anything. Sure they might drive up the overall prices, but that just means that your figures are increasing in dollar value.

I know this is a long post, and I hope everyone reads the entire thing (which is another thing that bothers me, when people don’t bother to read all the posts, and they say things that have already been said). I am saying these things because I care about this board. I enjoy good poignant discussion, without all the negativity. And this board offers that. But I believe it has started to slip, so I appeal to all the members to keep this board going strong. Let’s not give in to the “normal” board model and keep this our special place. Sorry that “special place” sounds so dumb, but I couldn’t think of a better way to put it.

It seemed like people were being repetitive and just posting short answers to questions that were being asked. It felt like people were trying to pad their post count and were less worried about the quality of their posts.

Eh... maybe.

-Nathan

Sorry... I just couldn't resist that last post. Anyway, I just think that some people are a bit more long-winded than others. I mean, if we did an average word count per post on everybody, I think I would be pretty damned close to being the victor. Then again, this post by you, Veers, is pretty long... I may have competition.

The abundance of “Look at these MUSCLE’s on ebay” posts are getting tired too.

It seems to me like most of these posts are of auctions that are special for some reason. For example, if they're really cheap, have special figures, are excessively expensive... etc. But I agree that if there's nothing special about the auction, why post it? Truthfully, I don't read most of the posts about MUSCLE auctions just because I'm not looking to buy and I don't really care.

Lastly I don’t think we need to recruit for this discussion board. I remember reading a link (I’m sorry I can’t post a link, I can’t remember the specific link) and people were saying how we should basically harass people that were selling MUSCLE’s for too much money. And try to get the people bidding on them to join our board.

I'm not sure if I saw the post you're talking about, but you're right, I don't think we should harass sellers for selling MUSCLEs for too much. I DO think that we should harass them if they try to misrepresent what they're selling (for example, if they state something like, "These are super rare figures only available through a mail-away offer!"). And I don't find anything wrong with us recruiting people... but frankly I won't do it because I'm lazy. I figure, the AKIA forums are very easy to find... links to it are everywhere, and AKIA is one of the first sites you find when you search for MUSCLEs. If people on Ebay want to find the MUSCLE collecting community, it's very easy for them. I can't hold everyone's friggin' hand.

Anyway, if you're really concerned about the quality of the board, pretty much the only thing you can do about it is post more quality topics and replies. I mean, you could complain about it, but is that really going to affect people? Probably not... but if you continue to post good topics and replies, maybe people will catch on through example.

-Nathan

Exactly. I know I can’t change anything, but I just trying to bring awareness. I try to post in a quality that I would want to read. I know that is all I can do.

There are certainly no delusions of grandeur here. I just had to get that stuff off my chest.

Nice post!

I agree that a few of the newer newbies tend to post alot of single replies to topics, or start alot of added topics that would be better off in an existing thread. There are quite a few members here who did that when they first started. I doub't it was to pad their post totals, but mre like thier newness to the message board format. One guy who started here (I know this HAD to be the first message board he was on EVER) replied to EVERY THREAD on the board within 48 hours. IT DROVE ME NUTS!!!! Mainly because I read EVERY post on this board. But I didn't say anything to him, as I realized it was just his inexperience to the board format. He did this for a few days or so, and now his posts are most always thought out and well written, vs. the quick "Oh yeah" or "Me too!" reply. My point is that after a short while, they do mellow out, as they see the example we set.

But that's just it, we need to make sure we aren't posting junk replies too. Also, lately, other than the cartoon every week and the eminent release of the toys, there hasn't been a whole lot of anything to talk about. SO that is another reason there.

My advice, lead by example, which, your above post is GREAT! Alot of the newbs have no clue that it gets annoying when they post one liners to every thread.

The only part I disagree with you on is the "sightings" forum. I created that forum expressly for people to post anything MUSCLE related they found on eBay or such. Granted, the majority of the auctions that are posted there, I don't really have any interest in, but do realize that there is a HUGE number of people who frequent this board to see those auctions and read the remainder of the board. We have 80+ registered members, but we have 4 times that many unregistered visitors to our board. Small insignificant auctions posted in the sighting forum could be what start someone on their renewed love for M.U.S.C.L.E.s. We all had to start somewhere.

On a similar note, those of you who have been around message boards longer than I, may wish to contribute to a "Board Ettiquette" post. Write somethig up, and PM me with it. I will sort through, organize it and post it, and pin it in the Kinnikuman forum.

But again, I tend to think that the over posting has to do more with newness than with trying to load up your post count. At least so far anyways. But a board ettiquette topic is just the shot in the arm that this board needs.

-Johnny

I like the idea of a netiquitte thing- probably with a link to the "Flame Warriors" art gallery, too. On the same side, it's not bad that Wraith does the most posting here- the only problem is, we need more *variety* in our post. This i still the best message board that I've been on (and I've been on a lot), but variety is also a good thing.

I’m glad both of you (jkaris & Tortle) seem to understand what I am saying. It makes me feel like what I was saying was valid, and not just b****ing. And I understand your points too, maybe I was off on the whole “sightings” thing but it was just my 2 cents.

As for board etiquette, that’s a good idea. I think it would help people to understand what the “culture” is here. If you don’t mind, I’d rather just post some ideas for board etiquette here. That way, as a group, we could possibly come up with a living document of board etiquette.

Suggestions…
1.) Write clearly. Try and make your post as clear as possible. Remember we can’t hear the tone in your voice, so consider how others will read what you wrote.
2.) Check old threads. Before you start a thread, see if it has been started recently.
3.) Avoid post-padding responses. Unless you have something to add to a discussion don’t waste people’s time with short answer post. Think of each post as an essay question, rather then a multiple choice. Does that make sense?

Well, these are the first few things that came to my head. Anybody else?

i'm sorry veers, i didn't realize that i was doing that, really it just seemed like after thanksgiving no one else was posting anything so i was trying to start some conversation up. also, when i post things that dont seem very important, its just to share thing with you guys because i feel like you are all my friends, that funny gif i found, a few auctions that seemed pretty cheap, a website or 2. also i posted the thing about voting because most people just click the active topics button, and i cant reply to johnny's topic so i started my own because i didnt feel that everyone was voting as much as they should have. i didnt know it was making anyone mad, you should have PMed me and said "stop posting stupid crap" and i would have said fine and just stopped. anyway, now that know my thoughts aren't appreciated (just kidding) i will slow it down. sorry

Nope.



I had to steal the joke. Everyone could see it coming.

I think it may just be muscle saturation. 12 months ago i knew nothing about muscles apart from that they were pink and weren't on sale anymore, but now i know loads of stuff about them and to be honest i find myself reading more about them than interacting with them (ie making them beat the crap out of each other)
when i joined the board there was a whole big fuss about satan cross (who? i hear some of you saying) and i remember when we thought that arforbes must have been making them himself
Anyway i'm not really making much of a point and i seem to be going off on a tangent so er..well, you know, whatever.

musclemenkids you should see my first suggestion.

What are you talking about?

Also, Wraith I was not singling you out but just using you as an example.

"And I have to single a person out, Wraith" -Veers
"Also, Wraith I was not singling you out " -Veers


hee-hee it's ok man. i just didn't know it really bothered anyone, i was just replying and having fun i did not realize that it wasn't a good idea to just respond to every topic and start a lot of topics and stuff. i just felt like everyone was quiet after thanksgiving so i was trying to start some conversation but it's cool.

The reality is this.......some of us take these boards very seriously, some of us look forward to going on these boards more than others, and some of us are very young too, do You guys in your 20s and 30s remember what it was like to be young? It`s very easy to "knock" someone before You`ve walked a mile in their shoes. ( I`ve been guilty of that plenty of times) I try to keep things in perspective with these boards, sure there are topics that I don`t care about and there are topics that I just skip over but I take it with a grain of salt. No matter what happens on these boards it`s not the end of the world!!!!

I`m still going to respect all of Your opinions and accept the fact that we are all different yet united through m.u.s.c.l.e.s. I agree with You 100% Ridureyu, these are the best boards I`ve been on!