A better way to organize plot discussion?
Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:10 am
I already sent this idea to Yukio, and he said to post it here 
One of the problems with the plot discussion as it is is that there are several discussions going on at one time. Some people are commenting on the aweosme artwork, some are theorizing about what Ilere might say next, some still don't understand how to get the vines to work, and the rest of us are looking for Meepits. Instead of having it all on one topic that's going to have hundreds of splits by the end of this, wouldn't it be easier to have a board dedicated to the whole plot (similar to Battledome or General Chat), and then topics inside that deal with specific things? It would look like this:
Announcements: Plot Discussion Board Rules
Sticky: Plot Solution So Far
Sticky: Haunted Woods Plot Gloat y Cry
The High Woods--Vine Hunting
The Deep Woods--Meepit Hunting
Comic Discussion
Theories
The Damp Cave--Furniture Placement
and other plot points as they arrive. I just think that would be cleaner and easier for everyone than a giant, clumsy topic where people have to read tons of pages to find the information they're looking for.
One of the problems with the plot discussion as it is is that there are several discussions going on at one time. Some people are commenting on the aweosme artwork, some are theorizing about what Ilere might say next, some still don't understand how to get the vines to work, and the rest of us are looking for Meepits. Instead of having it all on one topic that's going to have hundreds of splits by the end of this, wouldn't it be easier to have a board dedicated to the whole plot (similar to Battledome or General Chat), and then topics inside that deal with specific things? It would look like this:
Announcements: Plot Discussion Board Rules
Sticky: Plot Solution So Far
Sticky: Haunted Woods Plot Gloat y Cry
The High Woods--Vine Hunting
The Deep Woods--Meepit Hunting
Comic Discussion
Theories
The Damp Cave--Furniture Placement
and other plot points as they arrive. I just think that would be cleaner and easier for everyone than a giant, clumsy topic where people have to read tons of pages to find the information they're looking for.
Last edited by theonlysaneone on Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:11 am
I think this is a great idea!
Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:45 am
That would be great. That way if you came on after a weekend away or something, there wouldn't be five splits that you felt like you had to read though so you wouldn't ask something that's been asked a dozen times already. It'd also be easier to find something that you know's been said already, but a couple pages/splits back. I think it would save everyone a lot of frustration.
Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:04 am
Doing that would just make the situation significantly harder for us mods as well as the readers... (Keep in mind while reading the below that I'm just trying to substantiate my argument against this...)
Who do we give permission to make the new topic threads? The mods? What if no-one is online to let it happen. The people? There's bound to be a ridiculous amount of duplicate threads posted with people wanting to be the first to talk about it.
Then its information. A person will have to go through 3+ threads to get the information they're looking for. And more likely than not, they aren't going to read through *all* the threads to find the answer and simply ask in one thread and require someone to post it again in another..... It's best that everything is streamlined into one thread and gather everything you need to know from that thread. (And it already happens with only one thread to go with.)
And then where would people go to talk? In the last thread that was created... then tell everyone to move out to the new thread? Defeats the purpose of having a one-topic centred thread. And if the solution is a "general chat" then how do we get people to divide out efficiently to the respective thread? It's too much worrying about duplicating information.
And even if you're behind, most of the key information should be on the first post. And if help is required there isn't any problem with asking about it....
While it is an interesting idea, there's just too much more work involved for everyone. You're STILL reading the same amount (and likely even more since information is going to be duplicated across multiple threads). And there's going to be much more policing that the mods are going to have to do.
Who do we give permission to make the new topic threads? The mods? What if no-one is online to let it happen. The people? There's bound to be a ridiculous amount of duplicate threads posted with people wanting to be the first to talk about it.
Then its information. A person will have to go through 3+ threads to get the information they're looking for. And more likely than not, they aren't going to read through *all* the threads to find the answer and simply ask in one thread and require someone to post it again in another..... It's best that everything is streamlined into one thread and gather everything you need to know from that thread. (And it already happens with only one thread to go with.)
And then where would people go to talk? In the last thread that was created... then tell everyone to move out to the new thread? Defeats the purpose of having a one-topic centred thread. And if the solution is a "general chat" then how do we get people to divide out efficiently to the respective thread? It's too much worrying about duplicating information.
And even if you're behind, most of the key information should be on the first post. And if help is required there isn't any problem with asking about it....
While it is an interesting idea, there's just too much more work involved for everyone. You're STILL reading the same amount (and likely even more since information is going to be duplicated across multiple threads). And there's going to be much more policing that the mods are going to have to do.
Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:25 am
I could never see it working due to the fact that people get too excited, too frustrated or are ignorant of the rules or in fact too lazy to read through all the threads before posting.
I for one would hate to keep up with all the different threads.
I for one would hate to keep up with all the different threads.
Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:30 am
I agree with Scot.
*gives Scot cookies*
I think this is a case where "leave well enough alone" comes into play.
*gives Scot cookies*
I think this is a case where "leave well enough alone" comes into play.
Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:10 am
Eh, it was just an idea.
Still, there might be some kind of middle ground. Maybe you could make something like the Constellation Help thread during the Altador Plot, where people who need help getting through earlier parts go to one thread and people working on the latest part go to another.
Either way, you guys are doing a great job policing the plot threads
Still, there might be some kind of middle ground. Maybe you could make something like the Constellation Help thread during the Altador Plot, where people who need help getting through earlier parts go to one thread and people working on the latest part go to another.
Either way, you guys are doing a great job policing the plot threads
Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:14 am
ahoteinrun wrote:I agree with Scot.
*gives Scot cookies*
I think this is a case where "leave well enough alone" comes into play.
*eats cookie and slaps some extra t's into that post*
Don't get me wrong, it's a good idea. But even with what happened last time, it didn't go over like it was supposed to (duplication, etc.)
But thanks anyhow
Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:22 am
ScottNak wrote:Doing that would just make the situation significantly harder for us mods as well as the readers... (Keep in mind while reading the below that I'm just trying to substantiate my argument against this...)
Who do we give permission to make the new topic threads? The mods? What if no-one is online to let it happen. The people? There's bound to be a ridiculous amount of duplicate threads posted with people wanting to be the first to talk about it.
Then its information. A person will have to go through 3+ threads to get the information they're looking for. And more likely than not, they aren't going to read through *all* the threads to find the answer and simply ask in one thread and require someone to post it again in another..... It's best that everything is streamlined into one thread and gather everything you need to know from that thread. (And it already happens with only one thread to go with.)
And then where would people go to talk? In the last thread that was created... then tell everyone to move out to the new thread? Defeats the purpose of having a one-topic centred thread. And if the solution is a "general chat" then how do we get people to divide out efficiently to the respective thread? It's too much worrying about duplicating information.
And even if you're behind, most of the key information should be on the first post. And if help is required there isn't any problem with asking about it....
While it is an interesting idea, there's just too much more work involved for everyone. You're STILL reading the same amount (and likely even more since information is going to be duplicated across multiple threads). And there's going to be much more policing that the mods are going to have to do.
I think theonlysaneone's primary point was that it would make the search for different aspects of information regarding the plot substantially easier for the user to find, they may be reading the same amount, however, the information is more likely to be relevant to their topic of interest.
I'd assume the mods would be the usual gen mods, or perhaps whoever it is that commits themself to the War Board, when we have wars, would be interesting in lending themselves to this.
If you find away to get around the duplicate information problem all forums face, I'd bake you 60 dozen cookies. How many times did you see that "DON'T HOLD YOU BREATHE" comment on Friday night and Saturday Morning?
As for the single-thread-focused plots, I'm going to be honest and say I've always disliked them, simply because they're a bus full of tangents, I read the first post and them I'm on my merry way.
I do see Scotts point too though, modding something like that would be rather challenging, especially during peak hours.
The only big question raised by your post is this: If we don't see the need for making boards for plots, why do we make boards for wars which are now (and, it seems 'always have') been considered minor aspects of Neopet Plots?
*shrugs* either way. Just see validity in both sides. The threads fill up quick, but that's not to say the need isn't sufficiently served.
Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:59 pm
I do agree with scott, but what saneone said i think'd work
Two topics in the general forum... One for plot theories and figuring out the current step, and one for plot help... Seems reasonable to me at least....
theonlysaneone wrote:Eh, it was just an idea.
Still, there might be some kind of middle ground. Maybe you could make something like the Constellation Help thread during the Altador Plot, where people who need help getting through earlier parts go to one thread and people working on the latest part go to another.
Either way, you guys are doing a great job policing the plot threads
Two topics in the general forum... One for plot theories and figuring out the current step, and one for plot help... Seems reasonable to me at least....
Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:09 am
unr4veled wrote:Two topics in the general forum... One for plot theories and figuring out the current step, and one for plot help... Seems reasonable to me at least....
Leading off from that.. possibly a thread for talking about co-ordinates for the current task of grave digging? At the moment, the threads are moving incredibly fast (I go away for about 3 hours and have at least 2 threads to read through), and it means that questions about being stuck - whether they be on previous parts, or just unsure about how to dig properly - are getting lost in the other posts.
Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:37 pm
my remedy to the work force problem: Appoint people to make the threads. It will be a lot of work to begin with, but it will pay off in further plots. People could PM these "plot helpers" with thread ideas and then the plot helpers could post the threads. Make it punishable to post a thread on the plot board instead of sending the idea to a mod or plot helper, and you got the duplication problem fixed as well. Make another forum group for these plot helpers and they could post the thread ideas there and then have someone make them so the plot helpers didn't duplicate eachother. It would be a LOT of work now, but it would earn it's keep soon enough.
Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:57 pm
I don't think plot helpers would help anyone. If you want to help in such a way, apply to be a mod (as you can right now), and take your chance that way. Appointing members to do a mods job doesn't seem right to me.
It's a lot of work to split, look after and maintain threads. And plot helpers wouldn't be able to do any of that sort of work. Mods would still be the ones having to split, and look after and "punish' anyone who didn't follow the rules.
It's a lot of work to split, look after and maintain threads. And plot helpers wouldn't be able to do any of that sort of work. Mods would still be the ones having to split, and look after and "punish' anyone who didn't follow the rules.
Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:16 pm
I can see both sides of the issue.
On one hand it would be great to have some organization to the plot thread. I often come onto the board and have 3-4 splits to read. And mostly it's just nonsense. I would rather go to a vine helping thread and ask for help or search for the help I need than go through 25+ threads of every possible question. It would make for much less of a headache for most users I think.
On the other hand, I can see how it would be hard to keep up with. But isn't trying to update the first post hard now? . you would need a few mods to handle that area alone.
You could appoint a few new mods from the applications you have now to handle plot boards only. (just a suggestion, don't know if that possible or not)
/end of my 2 cents.
On one hand it would be great to have some organization to the plot thread. I often come onto the board and have 3-4 splits to read. And mostly it's just nonsense. I would rather go to a vine helping thread and ask for help or search for the help I need than go through 25+ threads of every possible question. It would make for much less of a headache for most users I think.
On the other hand, I can see how it would be hard to keep up with. But isn't trying to update the first post hard now? . you would need a few mods to handle that area alone.
You could appoint a few new mods from the applications you have now to handle plot boards only. (just a suggestion, don't know if that possible or not)
/end of my 2 cents.
Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:24 pm
susannahmio wrote:I can see both sides of the issue.
On one hand it would be great to have some organization to the plot thread. I often come onto the board and have 3-4 splits to read. And mostly it's just nonsense. I would rather go to a vine helping thread and ask for help or search for the help I need than go through 25+ threads of every possible question. It would make for much less of a headache for most users I think.
On the other hand, I can see how it would be hard to keep up with. But isn't trying to update the first post hard now? . you would need a few mods to handle that area alone.
You could appoint a few new mods from the applications you have now to handle plot boards only. (just a suggestion, don't know if that possible or not)
/end of my 2 cents.
That's basically what I was getting at. While the upkeep for a plot board would be difficult, it's easier for people who are looking for specific answers than searching through miles of plot threads, with people screaming grave coordinates at each other.
I do, however, REALLY like the first post. The trouble is, if something needs to be added in there, it will be lost among the people talking about all the painted pets they've seen while digging.