Happy Birthday=Yes Goodbye=No Why?

MojoMan220 · #1 03-31-2003, 08:18 PM

How come members can create happy birthday threads, but cannot post threads telling members they are leaving the forums? I always see a ton of happy birthday threads each month, but what can anybody really say in them, except variations of happy birthday. Threads where members say they are leaving the forums are more important then ones that announce somebody's birthday. I think birthday threads are just plain spam considering goodbye threads are practaclly the same thing.

***Cloverfield*** · #2 03-31-2003, 11:29 PM

You bring up a good point MojoMan. Mainly because I never really approved the closing of Goodbye threads on OWF ... it just happened during a time I was not very active on the forums (personal problems, etc), so I just really let it run it's course.

All of these kinds of threads can be seen as "spammy", but they are also a way to show us as being friendly here at OWF.

The only time I really have a problem with goodbye threads, is if they have been posted by a member who is never really active anyway. They post a few posts and then say goodbye. That is a reason to close a goodbye thread that I agree with. But if there is a long-term member or an active member who is no longer able to post anymore (i.e. busy, etc), then that is a valid reason for them to let people know they are going.

I also once had to re-open a welcome thread once. Although I don't do "I'm new" threads myself, some people like to introduce themselves. And if their thread is closed, they might see OWF as being unfriendly and will not return. Sure, close the thread after it has ran it's course or gets spammy, but not straight away.

I'd like to see what others think about these kinds of threads and if they have any ideas.

Abe Babe...

paramiteabe · #3 04-01-2003, 12:03 AM

Maybe we should put in an introduceing and Good By board so that who ever wants to introduce themselves to us can simply go there and do so. I don't know just a thought. It would also be a place to announce your Birthday too aswell.

Paramiteabe...

Joshy · #4 04-01-2003, 01:40 AM

Maybe we should only celebrate people's birthday that are well known on the forum and recently active.... like me

Since my birthday is on the same day as Disgruntled Interns and Sydneys

Facsimile · #5 04-01-2003, 02:17 AM

Abe Babe's idea is good I think.
With paramiteabe's one I think the mods and such think there is already too many forums. But perhaps there could be a threads, a hello one, a goodbye one, and a birthday one.

Disgruntled Intern · #6 04-01-2003, 04:01 AM

I close goodbye threads because chances are the person has already left by the time you are reading the message, so replying with 'u will b missed' is utterly pointless, seeing as how the author is not around to read it.

Also, the author is just fishing for compliments/getting people to 'beg' him/her to stay. They want an ego boost. It's not only a waste of forum space, but a waste of time.

Introductory threads are fine, except when they become 8 page yammer threads about nothing in particular.

Maybe I'm too 'strict', or maybe I'm the only sensible person here. I rarely close topics, but when I do, it is not for the sheer tummy tickle factor, but for a legit reason.

..But the tummy tickle factor is a nice part of it.

paramiteabe · #7 04-01-2003, 12:54 PM

Well yea maybe we could instead of a seperate forum make some sort of sticky thread that will be "Good By, introduceing, and Birthday" all combined in one thread. And when it gets too big we could simply delete it and make a new one. That will save lots of space.

Paramiteabe...

Hobo · #8 04-03-2003, 04:27 PM

:

Originally posted by paramiteabe
Well yea maybe we could instead of a seperate forum make some sort of sticky thread that will be "Good By, introduceing, and Birthday" all combined in one thread. And when it gets too big we could delete it and make a new one. That will save lots of space.

Paramiteabe...

That would be a good idea and would save mod's time, to chase after real problems.

MasterChief · #9 04-06-2003, 09:43 PM

im with paramite on his suggestions

***Cloverfield*** · #10 04-08-2003, 05:15 AM

Nah, not at all DI. You're doing a great job as mod, and now that I understand your sense of humor!

We need some strictness in here anyway, I can sometimes come across as being too friendly/soft.

I'm going to discuss with Peter possibilities of what we can do with this issue. One thing I'm looking at is a way to keep all of these kinds of threads in one place, so they don't mess up and get in the way of Off-Topic.

Abe Babe...

Disgruntled Intern · #11 04-08-2003, 05:53 AM

I aim to please.

*does a little jig*

MojoMan220 · #12 04-10-2003, 06:37 PM

Wow, I thought everyone would think I was just complaining over nothin'... It looks like this thread might actually be more meaningful after all!

FeeCoFreak · #13 05-06-2003, 11:37 AM

:

Originally posted by paramiteabe
Maybe we should put in an introduceing and Good By board so that who ever wants to introduce themselves to us can simply go there and do so. I don't know just a thought. It would also be a place to announce your Birthday too aswell.

Paramiteabe...

Hi everyone,

I would just like to point out that this wouldn't be a very good idea. No one would ever visit this forum and it would either remain empty, or full of admins.

As far as being more strict goes, you shouldn't just be more strict for the sake of it just because you think your too soft. Strictness generally scares people off. If someone is doing something wrong the sure, definately deal with them in the kindest, nicest and most benevolant way possible, but whatever you do don't yell them back into their place.

It would be a good idea to add a link at the top of the forum like the "welcome to our newest member " link. Reading something like "Happy birthday to , your !". And maybe add something to their status like instead of "slurg", it could be "birthday slurg". I dunno, they are just ideas.

There, now that I have told everyone how to run the forum I can go make some more useless posts in the Oddworld General section

FeeCoFreak.

***Alcar*** · #14 05-07-2003, 05:18 AM

Actually FeeCoFreak, that Birthday's, Goodbyes, Welcomes forum is already in existance and has been for a while now:

http://www.oddworldforums.net/forums...php?forumid=18

About the custom birthday titles, that would be some work for myself and Abe Babe, there are over 1700 members, and if you check the calendar there are a lot of members with birthdays on the same day.

About the newest member welcome thingy, that is also in existence on the Forum Home Page

Alcar...