Sunday, February 11th, 2007
Issue: 10   Editor: iAir


The Use And Misuse Of The Off Topic Forum YellowCloud
This is going to be the first in a series of articles regarding the Off Topic Forum. I thought it would be appropriate to begin with “The Use and Misuse of the off Topic Forum.”

The Off Topic Forum is made solely for posts that are off the topic with the topic being Bootleggers. I had to spell that out because some people obviously don’t acknowledge it. Either that or they are being completely immature and moronic. So first let’s discuss people’s lack of knowledge. The rules for each individual forum are clearly indicated at the top of the Classifieds (http://www.bootleggers.us/forum_classifieds/view.php?id=140341, Game Forum (http://www.bootleggers.us/forum/view.php?id=1) and Off Topic Forum (http://www.bootleggers.us/forum_other/view.php?id=218251) and a full list of the rules for all the forums are stated in a sticky topic at the top of the Game Forum (http://www.bootleggers.us/forum/view.php?id=708794). So now anyone who reads this article has no excuse about not knowing what each forum is for. I mean, it’s pretty self-explanatory. Next I’ll express my views on the much bigger majorities’ attitude and behaviour towards the Game Forum.

These are experienced players who are familiar with the rules yet they create completely irrelevant topics on the Game Forum. Why? What can they possibly gain? They gain nothing. Some think it’s funny, but really where is the humour? All it does it create hassle for the Help Desk Operators, which is not needed when they already have to do a lot of work. Others do it because they want people who normally only look at the Game Forum to look at the Off Topic Forum which is, again, silly. That seems like a cry for attention.

I asked Help Desk Operator, VooDooDoll for her views on the constant messing around on the Game Forum and she said:

Q1: What are your views on people always posting Off Topic Forum material topics in the Game Forum on purpose?
A1: Well as annoying as it can sometimes be there isn’t a lot we can do. Different HDO’s handle it in different ways. If I know for a fact they are doing it on purpose I will move the first 2 posts to the OTF. The 3rd offence I will mute. Once the mute is over if they continue doing it again I will mute for a longer period of time and report them. Occasionally they will get a temp ban of about 3 days.

Q2: How often do you find yourself moving topics to the Off Topic Forum?
A2: Several times a day.

Q3: I recently heard that there is a bug and sometimes when you move topics, they get deleted. Is this true? If so, what do you think of people’s reactions towards it?
A3: Yes, there is a bug with moving topics from the GF to the OTF, which has to do with the new layout in the forums. Threads often disappear when moving them. Not all of them but on occasion. I think people tend to overreact about it. One, because the topic didn’t belong in the GF if it was being moved in the first place and 2, it wont kill someone to use the OTF, it's just one click away.

Q4: Overall, what is your view on the use and misuse of the Off Topic Forum?
A4: I have seen the OTF get misused and abused all the time; a few times a day usually. I know that normally it’s pretty much an “anything goes” forum but that doesn’t give anyone the right to “spam” or post multiple topics. Including topics directed towards individual players at a high rate. I have also seen some subjects discussed on the OTF that have no place in a game such as porn and discussion of certain body parts. There are still children under 18 that play this game.

I also tried asking a few people for their opinions on when they mess around but they would not act in a sensible manner so I am forced to believe that the Help Desk Operators are in the right in this issue. These “forum whores” really gain nothing except a shot at attention by posting like they do. Maybe next time you see a topic where someone is acting stupid you should try being sensible instead of laughing along with him or her and encouraging them. As for the people who make these topics, next time you’re about to hit the “create” button, ask yourself: “why?” Bootleggers are suffering enough without these people creating even more unnecessary problems.

Thanks for reading my article and feedback would be appreciated. Please keep your eyes peeled for my next article!