Farewell General Discussion

[Excessum]

Hmm... i've always seen General discussions as a lightning rod (make it spam rod) of JF. So that people who are having an urge to post, but have nothing to say on any of the J-related topics could express themselves there instead of contaminating the main JF boards.
Closing it would be like cutting off the lightning rod and hoping for the best when the storm comes.
So, instead of going the easy, hasty and dangerous way, i propose a compromise.

1) Put the responsibility of the thread contents on the shoulders of it's creator by allowing him to edit the contents of his thread in the General discussion section. If a mod sees that the thread has gone off-topic and the only thing that is going on in there is spamming/flaming/chatting he can just close the thread without editing every single bad post and then let the creator of the thread clean it up, making him follow up on his creation. Thus the creators will be forced to follow up and keep their threads sober.
2) Make the rules regarding general discussions tighter, disallowing creation of completely unwanted types of threads.
3) Disallowing the new (below n quantity of posts, account younger then 2 months etc.) members to use general discussion, in order to discourage them in staying in JF if they are not interested in the main sections of this forum.

Disallowing something completely will not answer the problem, it will cause even more problems in the long run.

[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

Well Excessum, those are definitely good ideas to present to ShinjukuEki-sama.

I have always said that General Discussion should be turned into a spam area, where posts don't increase, and the topics don't matter. I never suggested that if be removed entirely, I just think that the way it is now should be discarded, and turned into a new area. We need a section just for newcomers (like the JPF Service Desk) :P and another area for members to chat about whatever the heck they want (in accordance to the rules) with out worry that it'll be removed. Such as naming it The JPF Lounge or something, since naming it "spam" wouldn't be a great idea, since spam is a bad thing. We don't want to promote it. >_>

[Hisuwashi]

Agreed with Ex. Although we shouldn't have to contend with pointless and void threads, there will always be newbies who don't bother to read the forum rules and do not realize that their topics must have a purpose. I also believe debate threads should be allowed; but there should be a separate sub-forum for them.

I would also recommend referring to specific "stupid and useless topics" rather than to make the generalization of every one of them being that way.

[Aleesunz]

Hmm, I can see what you're getting at although I suppose it's kind of like this with most forums if not all. You'll always find people who spam.

In another forum I modded for a while, we had a Help thread which enabled people who hadn;t registered to post however all we got were threads like "WATCH BRITNEY SPEARS FUCK A DOG WHILST HAVING VIAGRA" or whatever and we were saying that, if people weren't using it properly then we'd have to get rid of it or make it into a members only thread. Sadly it was discarded.

I agree with the kind of JF lounge area type thing and also to either get more mods or to try and get the current ones to become more active and perhaps toughen on the rules a bit?

Although as I said, spam's always going to be a problem wherever you go.

[QueenNanami]

Originally Posted by Kanji_The_Wanderer

Enough of the vulgarity already. There have been a gazillion colour threads, but they all manage to make their way to the spam/removed posts section.

I say be gone with the General Discussion. It has more posts then any other subforum, and IS bigger then all of the Japanese areas combined. It's a bit sad if you ask me. That a Japanese forum isn't really about Japan at all.

If General Discussion must stay, make it a spam area where posts don't matter, so I don't have to bother reading them.

Well, that's all I have to say about that, I usually don't add my two cents in to this types of talks, but I felt I had to.

Kanji/L i am surprised you don't put you opinion on these things usually..

I disagree with you tho True this Forum is for the love of Japan and all but if you get rid of General Discussion there will be a lot of members who also leave.. Plus the spam will continue in other parts of the forum.

If we vote away any part of the Forum i say Relationship Talk!

[SamuraiAlchemistNinja]

Originally Posted by Excessum

Hmm... i've always seen General discussions as a lightning rod (make it spam rod) of JF. So that people who are having an urge to post, but have nothing to say on any of the J-related topics could express themselves there instead of contaminating the main JF boards.
Closing it would be like cutting off the lightning rod and hoping for the best when the storm comes.
So, instead of going the easy, hasty and dangerous way, i propose a compromise.

1) Put the responsibility of the thread contents on the shoulders of it's creator by allowing him to edit the contents of his thread in the General discussion section. If a mod sees that the thread has gone off-topic and the only thing that is going on in there is spamming/flaming/chatting he can just close the thread without editing every single bad post and then let the creator of the thread clean it up, making him follow up on his creation. Thus the creators will be forced to follow up and keep their threads sober.
2) Make the rules regarding general discussions tighter, disallowing creation of completely unwanted types of threads.
3) Disallowing the new (below n quantity of posts, account younger then 2 months etc.) members to use general discussion, in order to discourage them in staying in JF if they are not interested in the main sections of this forum.

Disallowing something completely will not answer the problem, it will cause even more problems in the long run.

I think that would make it a lot better, and for a very long time, but in a way it doens't ENTIRELY solve EVERYTHING. But I do agree with you

[kitski]

Originally Posted by Near

Since there are so many stupid and useless topics in the General Discussion area, I would like to suggest something that will cause many people to flip out and probably flame me, but oh well.

So, I would like to suggest getting RID of the General Discussion area. There is an area for all aspects of Japan basically, and since there is nothing decent in the General discussion anymore, and it just serves as a spamming and Flaming area, it at least should be only for member intro/pictures/absences...things that actually matter, and not what color the latest cheese wheel to be invented is.

First off, we really don't care what color your underwear is. Yes, I know this comes as a shock to you and that you are probably hurt very deeply, but we don't.

Secondly, all the helpful threads are hardly used anymore. And that is because your stupid threads have caused older members to leave, and those were the people who actually talked about Japan and gave helpful info.

So how do we solve this problem? Simple. There is a wonderful thing called: *dun dun dun* INSTANT MESSENGER. This wonderful offer is for a limited time only...FOREVER!!! So hurry while it only lasts, forever!
Or, if you like the world seeing your rude posts, and feel that others should see how stupid they are and how great you are, then you can make your own forum for free! Isn't this a great thing!?! It's so simple, in fact, I have done this with a few friends and it solves a lot of problems. You and your little band can happily spam or just chat, while us who signed onto a Japan forum to learn about Japan can learn!

Plus, it saves poor Kanji from having to constantly read your spam post about how a alien popped up from a manhole and ate you alive. That way L can have a break and post his great wisdom with us. ^_^

I don't really care how much you don't like this idea. But this is a suggestion and I am suggesting it. So Eki.....please consider doing something about this, we don't want Japan forum to go down the tube. >_<

i like ur attitude. but i have to disagree.i think we should delete all that is nonsense but we should keep helpful threads.In addition old members have indeed left this delightful forum because there are too many useless threads..btw good point about instant messenger.
this forum should be all about japan, but some people are ruing it.so i second the idea that there are too many nonsense threads and we should do something about it but we should not delete general discussion area.

[kitski]

Originally Posted by Near

Oh brother. Exactly Animedude3. The only thing you do is go in the GD area. Why do people join a forum called Japan Forum? So they can meet friends and talk about their new latest daisy they grew? If so, then why join JF? Why not join a General forum where discussing that stuff is not taking away from the purpose of those who want to talk about Japan.
And the 9,000 posts in the adoptions thread...there was a thread like it before, and it got closed down cause of all the problems it caused. Take a look in the adoption thread. What do you see? Adoptions? Not many, just chatting.

im sorry but i dont recall a thread similar to adoption thread.yes there was a random thread but i believe no one were adopted in that thread.when i made adoptions thread i wanted members here to form families.for example 5-7 family members max and after that those family members would choose a family name they all like.but members got it all wrong and started adopting randomly.so soon i did that also. its sad to see that people use that thread as a chatting station>.<
anyway dont want to go off topic so i must say again that general discussion should stay..and not useful threads should be deleted.

[ivi0nk3y]

Originally Posted by Near

Oh brother. Exactly Animedude3. The only thing you do is go in the GD area. Why do people join a forum called Japan Forum? So they can meet friends and talk about their new latest daisy they grew? If so, then why join JF? Why not join a General forum where discussing that stuff is not taking away from the purpose of those who want to talk about Japan.
And the 9,000 posts in the adoptions thread...there was a thread like it before, and it got closed down cause of all the problems it caused. Take a look in the adoption thread. What do you see? Adoptions? Not many, just chatting.

YaksokuDa: Before you joined we had worse threads then yours. I am not complaining about your thread, seeing as it is in no way as bad as previous ones we have had. And if you are this upset about it to come defend yourself agaist my 'attack', then I must have hit close to home about something. I don't beat around the bush, if I did not like your posts, I would have said something. Your thread is not hurting or bothering me in anyway. It's when we get 100 threads like that, good members get irate about all the spam and such, which causes them to leave.

Yggdrazzil: I was talking about threads like: 'hay luk ppl i hve a rock in my shu an it hurtz!' Really, that is not very informative. The point I am trying to make is that Japan forum is for mostly talk about Japan, not how your goldfish died. If someone wants people to know that, then you can tell them via e-mail or IM.

Suki: Exactly. The other subforums would get filled with random topics. Why? Because people are so idiotic and can't seem to get it through their head that if the topic says, "Japanese music" that the area is for J-music talk, and not what their college schedule is like.

Aleesunz: I know that is what the discription is, I brought up that point when I was fighting for the GD area. The thing is that people can't control themselves and keep meaningful and helpful posts up.

Queenie: But really, an underwear thread is not helpful or meaningful.
I'm not saying for any other part of the forum to go, because it all relates to the Japanese culture or Japan.(Except the relationship area, lol, as you said. XD) And if you are bored, and the spam threads are helping you....kaaw.

I would have no problem with the General Discussion or Relationship area, but people can't stop with the spam. I remember what happened before with the spam threads....>_<

At least if these areas are going to stay, more mods who are active need to be appointed to take action in getting rid of meaningless threads. I would not even make this thread, since I know it's fun to chat and make friends, but when it becomes so crazy that people don't even want to look or read any posts...thats so not cool.

Why do you care if there is a General Discussion area? There are more things to talk about than the size of someones pants tent.
Sorry but just because this is a "Japanese Forum" doesn't mean you limit your intellect to all things Japanese. If you don't like it, don't go there.
Other people do like it, so leave it open for them.