How can we ensure quality in the forums?

ChildCritic

I'm sorry, but I do not support this idea.
The group shares opinions sometimes, and that's completely alright. I do want only posts that help out the discussion, but what I see of this suggestion is “people need to share opinions, and not just say the same exact thing,” and I get that, but again, it's alright to agree, and besides, the only forum that the method they is present would not be spam, is right here in the suggestions forum.

Zro716

I know this would be a minor inconvenience but I kinda need those short posts for my program to accurately count who supports and who doesn't.

MegaApuTurkUltra

Zro716 wrote:
I know this would be a minor inconvenience but I kinda need those short posts for my program to accurately count who supports and who doesn't.

And the php image generator script I based off your program

Which is why I'm suggesting to enable the poll

IronBit_Studios

TheAwesomeMaster wrote:
Scratch Community Guidelines wrote:
Be constructive. When commenting on others' projects, say something you like about it and offer suggestions.

I assume this applies to the forums as well.

However, doing something like this:
Another Supporter wrote:
A Supporter wrote:
Support, if optional.
^^^
is showing that a opinion is popular. So, it depends.

Communicating using Scratch blocks would probably be considered as spam, so you can report that.

You're probably thinking of this, but I think that making your posts useful should be encouraged, not forced. Because no matter what we try, I don't think anything's going to work.

jerry1000 wrote:
MegaApuTurkUltra wrote:
Instead of the ST having to add large amounts of code to djangobb they could literally just enable the poll instead.
Simple solution; no effort required; fixes most of your problem.
^^^

see what i did there?

Zro716

Would it be a bad idea to make a userscript that adds “Support”/“No support” buttons to the OP?

MegaApuTurkUltra

Zro716 wrote:
Would it be a bad idea to make a userscript that adds “Support”/“No support” buttons to the OP?

Which has already been done. Several times I think. MSU even let you customize the messages in its settings

ChocolatePi

I have successfully deployed a bot that posts “No support”, “support”, and quotes other people at random.

Just kidding! But I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between that and the forums now!

Last edited by ChocolatePi (Dec. 23, 2015 18:19:29)

Zro716

I support. (I'm just testing my userscript pls no ban) (ok it works)

Last edited by Zro716 (Dec. 23, 2015 18:39:30)

liam48D

ChocolatePi wrote:
I have successfully deployed a bot that posts “No support”, “support”, and quotes other people at random.

Just kidding! But I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between that and the forums now!

bookowl's been there done that

But yes, that's true, I guess support/no-support posts really aren't that helpful. Might as well stick to making constructive helpful posts!

ChocolatePi

Zro716 wrote:
pls no ban

that's the problem, no one can do anything xD

Zro716

I'm sorry if I've made the worst userscript ever… but the goal is also to educate people that post quality matters to the Scratch Team. You can't post without adding some thought, at least that's what I hope (easily bypassed with just a space).

ChocolatePi

Haha it's great. I love that you have to post something.

seanbobe

ChocolatePi wrote:
Prinseskat wrote:
Does it matter whether or not someone simply types “support” to say that they like the suggestion or write three giant paragraphs on why exactly this is a good idea even if pretty much all the points have been covered and thus they're just restating things other people have said? This is the Scratch forums, not some English assignment on writing “quality” things.
It clutters up the thread. If you were having a conversation, and someone said a really good point, would you want 30 people saying “I agree with him!”, or would you want people to say stuff that hasn't been introduced yet?

What if no one has anything new to say? Would you prefer for your suggestion to go dead? No support.

BookOwl

ChocolatePi wrote:
I have successfully deployed a bot that posts “No support”, “support”, and quotes other people at random.

Just kidding! But I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between that and the forums now!

Yep, I've been there done that, seen the view, got the bumper sticker, took the selfie, and bought the t-shirt

MathlyCat

And what if the suggestion could not have anything more to be said about support? You always need a reason for no support, but support? I agree is all you're saying…

I understand you want to improve quality, but that goes to post count for blame.

RitaFreeman

To ensure quality on the forums…

Removing them would be a start! I'm not saying they should actually do that but most of the people here are younger children who would have trouble wording an argument. “Support” or “no support” are still useful because show whether people like the idea or not - this is a suggestions forum, not parliament.

tiger75

ChocolatePi wrote:
DaSpudLord wrote:
ChocolatePi wrote:
Prinseskat wrote:
Does it matter whether or not someone simply types “support” to say that they like the suggestion or write three giant paragraphs on why exactly this is a good idea even if pretty much all the points have been covered and thus they're just restating things other people have said? This is the Scratch forums, not some English assignment on writing “quality” things.
It clutters up the thread. If you were having a conversation, and someone said a really good point, would you want 30 people saying “I agree with him!”, or would you want people to say stuff that hasn't been introduced yet?
Prinseskat wrote:
Does it matter whether or not someone simply types “support” to say that they like the suggestion or write three giant paragraphs on why exactly this is a good idea even if pretty much all the points have been covered and thus they're just restating things other people have said? This is the Scratch forums, not some English assignment on writing “quality” things.
But why would you need to restate what everyone else said? Why do you even need to post at all if all the good ideas have already have been said (which they are almost always not)?

Honestly this whole thing is ridiculous. People who are mature enough to post here should be able to reiterate ideas in their own manner and contribute to the discussion.

If you can't say anything constructive, you shouldn't say anything at all.

The thing is that Scratchers looking to boost their post count post non-constructive posts which don't contribute to the discussion, or are irrelevant. Here are my two suggestions to get rid of this:
1.) get rid of post count
Pros/best case scenario: Scratchers won't care about their post counts, and instead will focus on the quality, not quantity of their posts.
Cons: Scratchers who have high post counts won't be willing to give them up, causing a lot of angry Scratchers
2.) Have a “support” and “no support” poll at the top of the suggestion, underneath the “follow discussion” button. Then the Scratchers who like to post “support/no support” can just push the button that they think is right. Then, the commenting section can be left to actual suggestions for improvement to the suggestion.
Pros/best case scenario: everything goes as planned and there are no conficts
Cons/worst case scenario: Scratchers leave comments such as “I supported!” or don't see the buttons and just comment “support/no support.”
How to fix this: Say all non-contributing comments (It will be easier with the buttons) are spam and that they will be reported.

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