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  • Subject: So Called "Official Threads" should be locked...
Subject: So Called "Official Threads" should be locked...

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In my opinion it would really help the community if these so called official threads were locked. While they do compile lists of data they are extremely disorganized and many become full of spam. They also become way too large to handle and a person simply cant read through the whole thing to see something they want to say has already been said.

Thread Topics are better when they focus on a narrow aspect to something, rather then a giant topic that includes a million and one things. It decreases the likelyhood of spam and helps keep the forum cleaner. I'm sure the mods hate going through page after page to monitor for spam on those giant threads. It might be worth a try to get rid of them. Who else agrees that those "official discussion threads" deserve the boot?

  • 04.10.2007 4:49 PM PDT
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Posted by: Recon Number 54
It may not be pretty, especially when the cat's gotten into the sandbox (ewwww), but it is far better than the alternative.

You and your dirty old mind recky, sheesh.

But yes, OP, I completely agree with you. Especially the Skulls thread. Sonic John keeps "bumping" it, to "keep it alive", so to speak. But there's one thread that stays quite on topic, and is large...8000 symptoms of a Halo maniac.

So it is kind of a stretch to say that big threads Always get off-topic(even though nobody so far said it, lol).

  • 04.10.2007 5:31 PM PDT
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Tact is for those who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic.

No use cryin' over Spillt Milk

I guess this is the official 'anti official threads' thread, huh?

  • 04.10.2007 5:36 PM PDT
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Posted by: shiv master
I guess this is the official 'anti official threads' thread, huh?

Ha...good point, shevy, lol. ;)

  • 04.10.2007 5:37 PM PDT
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Join the Anarchist Nation today!

Seriously, ironic! this thread is pointless too, if u look at it that way. so just deal with it, and don't post in them. post in threads that pique ur interest. other than that, just leave the rest to die.

  • 04.10.2007 9:46 PM PDT
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I dont like them just because they claim to be official, when they're not. That, and they're usually the third or fourth thread on the subject, and just use the word "official" to try and get more attention than the other existing threads so theirs doesnt get the lock.

  • 04.10.2007 9:55 PM PDT
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Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Both Lord Revan and Recon are right, I think. Here is my opinion on this topic, stated concisely:

To be designated as an "official" or "catchall" thread, moderators should ensure that the thread topic is neither too broad nor too narrow.

Now I will elaborate, not so concisely.

There is a tricky balance to be had for a catchall "official" threads. If the topic is too broad, it prevents discussion. For example, I disagree with the idea of creating threads like "Post all your Halo 3 multiplayer ideas here" and "Post all of your X Button Theories here."

Such threads rarely, in my experience, lead to an involved, in-depth discussion of any one particular idea. As a result, these threads sometimes degenerate into spam, advertisements (literally!), and/or flaming.

In-depth discussions are much easier to find in a well-tended narrow "official" thread, with examples you all know (take your pick, e.g., Survivial Mode, or Online Co-Op).

On the flipside, however, the problem with having "official" threads that are too narrow is obvious: there would be way too many of them. How would anyone ever sort through the zillions of ideas that users have that are slightly different from one another? They would not and do not... and thus they would make their own new topic about the same thing, and the "official" thread about the overly narrow topic dies.

Ideally, users search for and post in pre-made "official" threads, but the experienced users do not post in the extremely broad "official" threads if they want a great discussion. Anyone who pays a modicum of attention around here knows that an "idea" posted in the "Halo 3 multiplayer ideas" thread will most likely never be seen by anybody.

I think that moderators must strive to find a balance in creating and/or designating "official" threads. Too broad and the thread turns into a useless spam/flame magnet (see, e.g., the "Beta discussion" thread). Too narrow (see, e.g., the "official" Big Team Battle starting weapon thread) and the thread falls to the bottom of the forum, never to be resurrected again.

I think that there are some great examples of ideal "official" threads or threads that were later designated as "official" that strike the correct balance between broad and narrow topics of discussion:

Examples of "Official" Threads that Balance Between Being Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow:
*evilcam's "exclaim your joy at getting into the Beta" thread
*SonicJohn's "skulls" thread
* The aforementioned survival mode and online co-op threads

In my opinion, experience has shown that these are the types of topics that so-called "official" threads should encompass. Threads with this level of constriction tend to be well-maintained and contain in-depth and useful discussion.

[Edited on 04.10.2007 10:44 PM PDT]

  • 04.10.2007 10:44 PM PDT

Most of the time I don't even have to read what Foman posts to agree with him. I honestly couldn't have explained it better myself, perhaps no one can explain anything better than him. But I have to add that the "Weapon Idea" thread started by GJJ was a poor example for a thread with discussions. I can understand the want for having less weapon things, but that's too broad of a topic to have an "official" thread for, imo.

  • 04.10.2007 10:54 PM PDT
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Late as usual. To the OP, I give you credit for bringing this problem to light , but I would suggest just choosing where u post, and leave it to other people to do the same.

Short and sweet, unlike Foman, hehe, I liked your examples though, nice post.

  • 04.10.2007 11:24 PM PDT

cockburnicus@live.com
New Flood

I think that while "official threads" are made in the best interest of the community many of them do lose sight of the original point and do become as Recon put it, "inbred". Thats such a horrible concept of inbreeding on the internet. Anyway, people feel that if they put an "official thread" in the tittle then people wont create other threads and that it will reduce the spam in the forums. People often deviate from this though which is a problem that very little can be done about. But this is only a real problem when bungie releases a large amount of halo stuff like in the last couple of days, it will blow over.
Actually, since the new maps are going to come out soon and so is the beta, we'd better baton down the hatches!

  • 04.11.2007 2:04 AM PDT

Say, is this going to be the Official "Official Threads" should be locked thread?

Joking. But I agree, most of the time I never post things in "official" threads because they're too big.

[Edited on 04.11.2007 4:04 AM PDT]

  • 04.11.2007 3:58 AM PDT
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Posted by: Banshee 21
Say, is this going to be the Official "Official Threads" should be locked thread?
But people don't read replies in threads alot of the time and they just become bloated with everyone talking and no-one listening. I mean it's pretty evident you didn't even read the 10 replies before yours, as below is the third reply in this thread:

Posted by: shiv master
I guess this is the official 'anti official threads' thread, huh?
>.<

  • 04.11.2007 4:12 AM PDT