Getting everyone to agree to act like mods would be the ideal solution, but it'd be rather difficult to implement, I would think. Too many variables involved in it.
edited 16th Sep '11 7:00:38 PM by YoungMachete
"Delenda est." "Furthermore, Carthage must be destroyed." -Common Roman saying at the end of speeches.
vigilantly taxonomish
In addition to being a place where mods hang out, the OFH has the advantage that its entire culture is basically modelled around that of the COBs thread, whereas OTC's culture has grown up from scratch, pretty organically. The culture that's developed here is a very argumentative one, and at times those arguments seem to be less about frank discussion and more about ridiculing or raging at those who disagree.
I think most people choose to associate with communities that they can relate to, and most normal, self-aware and well-adjusted individuals can be expected to control their own behaviour to meet the standards of any community they choose to frequent. This community's standards are a lot different from those of the OFH, and people who are drawn to OTC rather than the OFH are likely to be, at the very least, more tolerant of behaviours that are found here but wouldn't be permitted in the OFH. If we actively encouraged more relaxed and rational behaviour here, I think we'd see a change.
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I'm willing to give it a try. What actions do we need to take to get it rolling?
Goal: Clear, Concise and Witty
I changed accounts.
vigilantly taxonomish
Well, these guidelines were supposed to be a start, once we'd put something together that everyone was more or less happy with.
I figured if we either linked to them from Introducing On-Topic Conversations or pasted them into it, that would help them get read. Also, once they were up, leading by example would be easier since there would be a set of standards we could all abide by, and moderation here could be both more transparent and more flexible.
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Night Clerk of the Apacalypse.
I was going to say the guidelines eddie sandboxed earlier looked like a good place to start. Lead by example seems to work reasonably well when consistently applied and backed up by mods.
Who watches the watchmen?
Okay. I'm working on thread-specific messages for the add post screens. We'll use the sandboxed draft for the text of it. In a folder, of course.
Goal: Clear, Concise and Witty
I changed accounts.
Oo, that's cool. Me likey. 
Were the problems seriously because people coming here weren't aware of its nature, and brought the same posting style and culture straight from other sections? If so, this could readily improve things.
Now using Trivialis handle.
Well, we'll see if that is the problem. It could be. I suspect, though, that a combative culture developed due to the conversations falling into a 'debate' rut.
Just to be clear, the complaints have been about squabbling/trolling in OTC, more than hugboxy memefests, although that latter disease has recently started to crop up as well.
edited 17th Sep '11 6:47:08 AM by FastEddie
Goal: Clear, Concise and Witty
Face Time
About the paid forum thing:
I have to agree with Bobby G about not having it.
"Hipsters: the most dangerous gang in the US." - Pacific Mackerel
vigilantly taxonomish
I'm not adamantly opposed to the idea, just so we're clear on that. I just don't think it would do anything to fix the problems OTC is currently having, and I don't think neglecting OTC is a good idea.
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Proud Canadian
What problems?
edited 18th Sep '11 6:30:56 PM by Erock
If you don't like a single Frank Ocean song, you have no soul.
I changed accounts.
So far, the complaints seem to be:
- A high volume of locked threads due to flame wars, off-topicness, or other reasons.
- "Hugboxes?" I believe that was the term Eddie used.
- An adversarial, debate-centric feel, when "OTC" is intended to simply be "discussion with no derails," as compared to Yack Fest's "whatever..." shtick.
edited 18th Sep '11 6:33:37 PM by USAF713
I am now known as Flyboy.
Proud Canadian
1. It's actually quite a low number.
2. Those sympathy topics are annoying yes.
3. That's because all the topics are usually on politics.
edited 18th Sep '11 6:38:24 PM by Erock
If you don't like a single Frank Ocean song, you have no soul.
My personal complaint is that a lot of frustration would be avoided by every poster having a clear idea on what constitutes a logical, water-tight argument, which is a pipe dream, but could be somewhat remedied by encouraging people to be more conscientious while reading and responding, and educating them on what constitutes a proper argument and what does not.
And better than thy stroke; why swellest thou then?
vigilantly taxonomish
^ That was more or less my perception of the problem. The problem is not people discussing politics, it's bad arguments.
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One OTC-focused mod would probably go a long way in helping. I don't... really... think we can be relied on to moderate ourselves, barring when we unite against the occasional troll, but...
I am now known as Flyboy.