I Would Like An Opt In Board

[Fred Hoggin]

Can we have a board where members have to opt in ? I just feel the 1 and only chit chat board is over moderated.

Members would have to have so many posts, be over 18, and have to apply to view & post on the board.

I'm not suggesting a board that goes against forum rules, just a board where opted in members could start topics that would not offend other members who wish to remain only in the chit chat board.

We have a younger members board, and that is respected by all members. so an opt in board for maybe more adult conversations than the normal chit chat board would be a good thing.

What do you think ?

[Joan J]

It would be too hard for the moderators - how will they know who is over 18 - Chit Chat works okay- I am not sure what you would want to be talking about that cannot be posted anywhere else

[Fred Hoggin]

It would be too hard for the moderators - how will they know who is over 18 - Chit Chat works okay- I am not sure what you would want to be talking about that cannot be posted anywhere else

It's easy to get people to state they are 18 when joining, it's not difficult to moderate. and people would have to opt in.

Chit Chat is over moderated, Post and threads keep disappearing, so obviously someone don't like what's posted.

Chit chat is fine for general conversation, but another board would keep some valuable members on here who can help others with psoriasis.

If a member is not on the forum they can't help others.

[Tim_]

Hi Fred

quote

just a board where opted in members could start topics that would not offend other members who wish to remain only in the chit chat board

Do you mean adult type topics?
or ones which subject matter may cause offence because it is not usually the subject but the way in which it is discussed that causes issues ie arguments become abusive.
Posts get removed from the chat board because of other reasons than adult content, ie abusive coments etc which would occur in the propsed board as well as the chat board.
What is to stop an under 18 yr old opting in, if you mean an adult board?
We have no way of verifying the age of a member ( I doubt we would want to or could afford to go to credit card style verification ) so not easy to moderate.


Tim

[Fred Hoggin]

Hi Fred

quote

just a board where opted in members could start topics that would not offend other members who wish to remain only in the chit chat board

Do you mean adult type topics?
or ones which subject matter may cause offence because it is not usually the subject but the way in which it is discussed that causes issues ie arguments become abusive.
Posts get removed from the chat board because of other reasons than adult content, ie abusive coments etc which would occur in the propsed board as well as the chat board.
What is to stop an under 18 yr old opting in, if you mean an adult board?
We have no way of verifying the age of a member ( I doubt we would want to or could afford to go to credit card style verification ) so not easy to moderate.

Hi Tim

Adult to a degree but i don't mean swearing or pornography or racial stuff, just a board for adult discussions and a bit of fun.

A board where you don't have to be so carefull of upsetting people with your comments, I like the forum and the chit chat board has a good mix of conversations, but i just think some people (me included) hold back for the fear of upsetting or being deleted.

We have Lot's more quests than members viewing each day, and when we get new members a lot of them get the answer they want and then don't come back. If we had more on the forum to keep people on line the better the community would be.

Maybe it's just me, But for example a topic about killing a pig could shock and upset some people if posted on the chit chat board, but if it was posted in the opt in board then you would expect that kind of thing. "this is an example i am not killing a pig" (see i felt i had to add that comment).

I get your point of the over 18 thing, But you can make a board available to certain members and ask them to say they are over 18 and accept that they may see posts that could offend.

I would like to repeat, i am not talking posts against forum rules.

Fred

[Fred Hoggin]

Sorry don't know how but i put my comment in your quote. hope you can understand it.

[Tim_]

I think I do Fred.
Maybe a serious chat/debate board, sub board

I think part of the problem is more about how people use the chat board, a tendency to bicker, stir up arguements or take offence at a subject/post have not helped but  in the main it does what it was intended to.
Could it do a better job?
how I guess is the question.
PHO has evolved over time from a small start to the size it is now with over 10,000 members. I think your point has highlighted that the chat board whichstarted as an informal place with only  a few users and is now trying to accommadate many more and we may need a rethink to give it a broader range of uses.

Will need some thought

Tim

[SJ]

I post this, not as a moderator, but as a member of PHO with 10 years experience of the site and the people who come and go...I just truly cannot see how you expect people to be able to start and maintain topics which don't 'upset' others.

It just won't happen.

Are you saying people will turn a blind eye to something they don't like or disagree with? They won't.

Are you saying people shouldn't get their backsides in their hands over something because they have 'opted in'? They won't.

Are you saying it should be a free for all? That it should be left to go where it wants without any interruption? Then I guarantee you will actually lose members...because you will have an all out argument within hours...

The key is 'self-moderation'. Unfortunately, people just don't seem to get it. I reckon an 'opt in board' will incite people to be abusive to others myself...

Just my tuppence worth!

And for the record, I don't believe in over-moderation...

[darrenc]

ive said my bits and pieces over the years

see notes on thread below this one and what i have sais to moderators in the past

you know my stance

tho i think that over moderation does exist with the ahem excuse of saving/wasting forum space which is a big part of what some members not just myself are saying

the level at which adult material is moderated and bickering is at a good level not to harsh but not to extreme in my personal opinion

[darrenc]

I post this, not as a moderator, but as a member of PHO with 10 years experience of the site and the people who come and go..

with ten years experience and not having a go at any mods or personally either

do you think its acceptable that the number of members that join pho doesnt equate to the number of members that come online

the stats are there to be seen and i know i wouldnt be happy with those stats