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Ell -> The "Bad First Post" Problem in OOC. (11/13/2009 15:30:04)
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I've seen at least 2 or three threads locked in the last few days because they don't have a decent enough first post.
Here's a few examples of what I mean, these are mods/Ak's messages when they lock threads with a "bad first post.";
quote:
I'm sorry, but a thread with just a link to a news article isn't a good first post. Feel free to re-post this, but include some details on the article in the first post. Locked.
quote:
Posting a link and then one word is not a good first post. Please try again with a better first post; one that actually inspires discussion.
But if we could have less posts about every single little news story, that would be great. :)
quote:
I'm sorry, but posting a link and then saying "Discuss." is not a good first post. A first post should be one with your own feelings and opinions, sort of an introduction to the discussion. You can make another thread, but please make a better first post. :)
Now, I find it incredibly strange that we have to have a decent first post otherwise the thread gets locked. Also, that we have to include our "own feelings and opinions." or be "inspirational" in our title posts. It shouldn't really be a requirement that we should have to state where we stand concerning news stories, or almost have to make a speech to "inspire discussion." If people want to talk about it, they will. If they don't, they aren't likely to. That's just how its always worked. Moreover, I'd say most people just view the threads with titles that interest them.
Also, most of the time the title of the thread is incredibly clear, and introduces the topic quite well. ie "Minimum Wage - Good or Bad ?" is the title of one of the threads.
( http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=16892612 ) and in the thread, the thread starter asks for opinions, posting a Wiki link so those who don't know about Minimum Wage can find out about it. I don't see why this isn't acceptable.
In fact, most of the time, after their thread gets locked, the person just reposts the same thread but just quotes some of the article. Making the locking process rather pointless. If we're having to introduce everything and be increasingly clever in how we post, soon the debate club will be pointless.*
Finally, if it's just the first post that's bad, why not ask the thread starter to edit the first post? A locked thread is dead, it has no purpose except to inform others its locked. No one can longer discuss anything, and it slowly drops down the thread list, waiting for the same poster to eventually create a thread, often with the same title, with the same discussion point, but just with more information which, if we're honest, the repliers might not read or refer to anyway.
*Speaking of which, that could probably do with a boost in activity. If I set it to "display topics within the last seven days," only one topic appears. If I do that in the OOC room or Entertainment forum, I get two sets of two pages worth of threads.
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