How do you feel about how we are handling the vB Craze?

Hello all,

This may seem a bit on the "low" side, but it's come to the point where we need to poll the community to see everybody's take on the entire situation.

For those of you who aren't aware of the recent happenings, please allow me to briefly clue you in:

• We see a plethora of daily posts on the vB 4 situation, many of which are becoming vulgar and undesirable.
• Several members disapprove of this behavior, and blame myself for allowing it to stay put. So I asked the community for a way to handle it to their satisfaction.
• I implemented the new sub-forum and issued a statement clearly explaining my stance on the matter.
• Apparently, that wasn't enough. (Plus an e-mail I received)

So I'm asking you to please voice your level of satisfaction with the new procedure/policy that we have implemented in the poll above.

 

If we can keep the contentious threads in their proper forum, I think we'll have an almost perfect situation, but those threads do need to be monitored (either by members themselves or by AA Admins (or even moderators?)) to keep them civil.

Members need to hit the "Report Post" button before starting new threads about how offended they are, and new threads related to this "situation" need to be started or moved to the new subforum.

 

I have voted "It doesn't really matter to me one way or the other -- Indifferent.".

I could not vote for "I think the new system is perfect, and AA is now my favorite site again. :-P" because although I do think the new system is perfect, I never stopped liking the site and never had a problem with the site, so I can't say "it is now my favourite site AGAIN" because for me, nothing's changed since I joined.

 

im not really bothered by it, i have never used vbulletin, and i dont plan of changing what sort of forum i use.

i do think you are handling it well though

 

Nick, the subforum idea was/is awesome. Most administrators wouldn't have come up with a solution like that. I completely respect you for setting up a section where these conversations can continue and to boot, you gave people an option as to being able to see the section or not. That is just cool as hell and i wish i could come up with ideas that quickly. To me, that covers everyone on the site, new users and older users because whether anyone likes it or not, these conversations will remain active for a while. Many are still shocked at how staff members are handling things at vb.com....I for one wish ray morgan would have come up with a solution like this, it may have saved allot of people from being banned and allowed people to have debates about this new situation we are all in (vb users).

Keep up the great work.

 

Personally, I think you've done a wonderful job handling a crappy situation. I now know where those threads are and can avoid them if I want to.

 

I think it's a step in the right direction, but the system needs improvement (*PROVIDE SUGGESTIONS IN THREAD*)

That is how I voted. Really good poll you put up!

Suggestions:

1. Enable 'thanks' mod in that forum so those that do not feel like engaging in the 'discussions' can participate with out getting dragged into the situation further.
2. Instead of treating that forum as a place for lively discussions, possibly drag every thread in there that is not technical in nature for the time being, including this one.
3. Delete all posts peppering threads outside of that forum that should be in there.
4. Give it another 24 hours and only respond to reported posts, let them duke it out.
5. If things continue to escalate explain while this has been fun, people need to get over this issue at some point. Possibly announce you will be either locking or deleting the most egregious ones as needed but you really don't want to, and that there input would be welcomed on other topics esp what alternative software they will use in the future and how it compares to vb so we may all learn from their experiences.
6. As fast as possible get the beta copy running somewhere so that might deflect from the licensing issues. It would truly be unique to have this forum to be able to log into the admin cp on a test account, or if that is not desirable then we can all follow other aspects of the software with our own copy we have. Lets turn this negative experience to a positive one. vb.com will not be as good for in depth discussions compared to AA. Lets take AA to the next level.

For the record Nick: Earlier this summer I mentioned about 5 or 10 times this will be a very successful site with good management capabilities that you AA owners have. I assured you that a seed was planted that would grow and not wither as long as you continued as you were. This vb roll out was what I was referring to, and one of the reasons I came back when I did.

You done good. :thumbup:

 

I to think the new section was a bit of inspired thinking and I have no issue with reading most of the posts in the area. However, some people have let their emotions run a bit rampant. We are supposedly admins and some of the methods being used would probably not be tolerated on the individuals own forums. A few people walking away from the keyboard for 5-10 before hitting send would probably go a long way in lowering the "energy level" of some posts.

 

I'm indifferent, I know how to avoid them if I wanted to. ..... . I just don't read them. It's a positive that a lot of people are able to come here and let their voices be heard.

 

I'm very glad that you see this side of the coin. So many people don't, and it's baffling.

If we limited all of this negative discussion, people would be packing their bags at a much faster rate than they currently are. They would no-doubt flock to our competitors and bash AA for censoring.

 

To me that's what constructive critism is. You take the bad and learn from it. Not to mention it helps when you can get it off you chest, hash it over with some people that understand ya, and then party.

To me it's like going out with friends and bashing work and those people that just don't pull there weight. You gotta rant and even though you more than likely won't see a change you feel better expressing you view.

It's just sometimes I don't think people compare it with other situation they have probably been in where it didn't phase them at all.

 

That is an awesome outlook........

 

i think as an admin community...you guys are handling it just like it should be handled..

Its a crazy time..sum crazy stuff is goin on..

 

Ditto lol

 

Indifferent option selected as I learnt long ago, as much as I like to be a back seat admin, each forum and it's owners/admin have the right to manage their own forums in the best way they see fit.

We're all guests here so should respect what the admins have for their forum policies. So if Nick says to stop with the vulgar and inappropriate postings, I'd respect that. To be honest, I and many admins of various forums would never put up with some of the behaviour/statements that have been posted.

The only way you'll get vB/IB to listen is if you remain civil in your complaints and posts and to stick with facts minus the negative emotions and personal/individual attacks.

 

You're right....they DO listen, if you're polite to them. (Note that "listening" isn't the same as "carrying out your request").

Actually what it is, they do not object to negative feedback in the forums, as long as it is polite and constructive.

 

I'm indifferent to it as a new member. If I didn't have a horse in this race, it wouldn't bother me to see this type of discussion. Ironically, I found and came to this forum because of the vBulletin discussion, which I found to be the best around. It seems like here all sides are covered and there is a core group that is actually debating about real things and not just blowing off steam or playing the role of fanboy. Of course there are those folks who just want to get angry every time IB/vBulletin Solutions says something, and I think those are the ones you have to watch. As long as there are not personal attacks, I see no problems.

It's just like my forum -- and any forum for that matter. There are always going to be those topics that you maybe don't approve of or exactly want to see, but if you stifle discussion too much, you defeat the purpose of a forum. I think the special subforum was a great idea and the discussion has been well-managed while still being allowed to be free. Keep up the good work.

 

The only problem I see is certain members wanting to suppress free thought. It goes something like this,,,

Member A - I do not like the way vbulletin is handling VB4, and I think that they should do it differently.

Member B - why are you bashing VB for? Even though you think something, you should not be posting it. You should keep your opinions to yourself, or better yet, stop thinking all together. Just keep your mouth shut, pay your money and be happy.

That kind of mentality is what bothers me.

There are two groups of people here:

Group A - those that stand up and speak.

Group B - Those that would rather stay seated, keep their mouth shut, and do not want anyone else posting anything.

 

I am in group A......

 

doesn't make a diff to me so iam in the indifferent category, there are valid points all around but i would draw the line if it becomes nasty and individuals get targeted...though having spent the last 10 yrs in the Service Industry i do know that its considered an occupational hazard if you are the face behind the decisions , so maybe iam being biased here but i definitely don't see any issues far as emotions are kept in check...