Should they just go ahead and open the General Forum back up?

If we don't treat each other with respect and civility--whether the topic is a technical question or an off-topic debate--the Forums won't be worth a browser load. And rearranging them can't fix that.

It's a fragile little ecosystem we've got here. Resident Answers works--to the extent that it does--because people with questions feel welcome to ask, and people with answers feel motivated to respond. If all general discussion were pulled to a separate forum (here or SLU or wherever) and RA were to become a pure "just the facts Ma'am" support forum, I'm really not as confident as others that *either* of those constituencies would benefit.

I'm worried that folks aren't asking as many questions as before; if this trend doesn't reverse, then it's pretty difficult to make a case for the continued existence of the forums at all. But is it really general discussion keeping folks from posting their questions? I'm not so convinced of that. If there really weren't many real questions getting answered on the front page, then yeah: there could be confusion as to what this whole thing is about. But during the worst bouts of GD-ness, RA's front page has always been *mostly* answers to residents' questions. So, maybe it's not as convenient to wade past all the silly threads, or to wade through the silliness on germane threads, but it's not like there's a real problem knowing that questions get answered here. And seeing that folks have fun answering wouldn't seem a big disincentive to posting a question.

As for respondents, I can only speak for myself: if Trout's lawyerly fantasies don't appear here, and a few other losses are incurred, I'm gone. I honestly don't know if others feel that way, but really, if there's no fun to be had here, just the burden of answering the same dry questions with the same dry facts over and over again for infinitely less compensation than a Mumbai customer call center--really, screw it, I'm outta here.

So from all that, one might conclude that I voted "no" but actually I'm not voting. Rather, I'm trying to point out here that it's not really the forums structure that's a problem, as I see it. Segregating General Discussion might help, or not, but it's not a panacea, and what's left in RA will still need some adjustment to make it work better.

If we don't treat each other with respect and civility--whether the topic is a technical question or an off-topic debate--the Forums won't be worth a browser load. And rearranging them can't fix that.

*snip*Resident Answers is populated by a bunch of condescending jerks.

It's is true that no matter how the forum is set up, how we act is going to be the difference. The population ratio of Jerkdom is small, and when someone does say something just to incite, most of us can ignore it. But when one jerk makes a statement that is picked up by another jerk, we have the horror that is evidenced "When Jerks Collide". It really is up to us to do what we can individually to keep things relatively civil and orderly while still having fun.

There should ba a general SL discussion forum and an Off-topic forum, RA forum should have LL paid and volunteer staff answering questions and helping residents. There should also be moderation that moves threads to the right forum.

If we don't treat each other with respect and civility--whether the topic is a technical question or an off-topic debate--the Forums won't be worth a browser load. And rearranging them can't fix that.

Their wishes for a general forum has been answered, its called Secondlife.

I wonder if those who want no general discussion forum, and a strict Resident Answers --

would prefer if the GD type posters "conformed" , or prefer they left.

I don't think there would ever be such thing as a "strict" resident answers. By that, I mean there would always be joking and silliness, no matter what. We are all human, after all. With moderation it just wouldn't take over the forum. Wouldn't have to be heavy handed at all, just a lock here and there on a larger scale of what we are seeing now.

I absolutely, positively believe that a GD forums should exist, but if it never does then I believe the GD crowd should conform or leave. That's not what this forum is for. It's really not that hard folks. I don't mean that personal to anyone here. I love many of the GD only people but that doesn't change my feeling that they shouldn't be using this forum only for GD.

That being said, I'm realistic. I know it's not likely to happen. Nothing is going to change without Linden intervention and they don't seem interested. The masses have voted and they have chosen to make this primarily a GD forum. I don't expect to see any of the GD folks conforming to RA or leaving because. I think myself and others who don't like seeing the change will be the ones to leave. Most would probably prefer that since they won't have to hear us complain anymore.

I'll probably go over to SLU. I can have great fun and be silly there because they don't have forums labeled something that they aren't. And to me that's the gist of the problem I have here.

I heard (second hand) on another SL related forums (and perhaps it was mentioned on this forum, at some point?), that LL has kicked the the idea of reopening General and Off-Topic around a bit, as of late. I remember hearing Robin's name attached to it.

I want to emphasize that this is second hand info, and could be 100% rumor.

Whether I stay here or go elsewhere I will keep a watchful eye on that. If it does happen my neighbors downstairs will probably have plaster falling on their heads as I do a happy dance.

297 now
Most users ever online was 3632, 07-19-2006

I don't think the day to day bickering will ever end - it's the nature of forums.

So I am going to disagree here.

If the bickering and derailing were diverted to another forum, this one wouldn't be subjected to it anymore. Which would then return it to it's full, original function - residents providing support to other residents.

The problem, as I see it, isn't the bickering or the sense of ownership that some of the regulars here feel, as I said, that is going to happen, regardless. The problem is that quite a bit of the time, RA is serving as RA AND off-topic, so, sparks will fly. The old off-topic got pretty flamey at times, but that was ok with me, because it WAS off-topic, in it's own little world, and not clashing with the intended purpose of said forum.

At the very least, I wouldn't mind having a more active mod here. I see so many "question" threads, which are just disguised rants about other residents. We used to not be able to get away with that, regardless of what forum section it was posted in.

It would appear that the MMS has decided that this is the place to have fun. New threads and or replys to those questions already anwered are started and supported by some to only increase their posting numbers or prop up their need for approval, or give the specious air of legitmatcy.

That they help on occaision is not sufficient reason for their continued abuse of resources. Their wishes for a general forum has been answered, its called Secondlife.

RA should not be for cheerleaders or comedians or nuerotic "let me spew my inane comments on any thread I can" group. To answer a legimate concern for help from residence with patience and humor is fantastic and applaudable.

For those who know they are addicted I'd suggest a RA 12 step program be initiated .

MMS= Mutual Masturbation Scociety

Not only do I disagree with all your characterizations of people on this forum,

But I disagree with nearly all of your conclusions.

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From what I can best decipher between barbs though -

It seems your opinion is that there should be a strict Resident Answers forum,

No General Discussion forum,

and those who cant conform should just go play Second Life.

But when it is only these people answering questions, I feel it would lead to the "call center-help desk" mentality in the answers. I think even new residents sometimes discover a new way to do things that can help even people who have been here for years.

You are welcomed to disagree, with over 12000+ post, or 4,000/yr or 10/day I can see where you are in the hot seat.

So, what number of posts are acceptable until a person is no longer allowed to post? What is the number of questions a person must answer before they are allowed to continue posting? What kind of humor is acceptable to you? How many jokes per day is a person allowed? Are emoticons banned? You must give concrete guidelines so that everyone fits into what you have decided is correct.

If folks want to leave because they can't carry on anyway they want, good riddance, its a childish attempt of manipulation anyway. Not only that, for those who wish to exert that reasoning, where was the help they were providing, other than the asuagement of their own ego's?

Their own insistence they will leave to find another forum to go infect is the evidense that they have bastardized the RA for their own playground not as a place to help, since that has become secondary to their primary goal of "having fun".

I don't belive the community has voted to make RA a GD forum the MMS has, and that is very different than the community minded folks who sincerely want to avail those with questions, suitable and informed help. There are plenty who would continue to answer threads.

Suitable and informed help does not neccesitate "dry" or bland strict answers (hense the applaudability of those whose answers combine patience with humor). In secondlife a chat opened in a group can be left open to have running conversations for all participants willing to leave it go and a group member could copy at appropriate times a log to a notecard distributed to all wanting, like open or closing a new thread.

So, using the inworld environment to joke, banter or carry inane conversations IMO is the perfect place already provided.

It's is true that no matter how the forum is set up, how we act is going to be the difference. The population ratio of Jerkdom is small, and when someone does say something just to incite, most of us can ignore it. But when one jerk makes a statement that is picked up by another jerk, we have the horror that is evidenced "When Jerks Collide". It really is up to us to do what we can individually to keep things relatively civil and orderly while still having fun.