- x Foman123 x
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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]