For Experienced BEdgers
by Dave on Apr 29, 2009 12:10 PM PDT
Email
Print(Newer folks can read too, of course, but that's not primarily who I'm addressing here.)
This is an update on where we are in the sidebar process. I have some important things to say and ask of you.
First of all, I have been aware for a while that the current sidebar posting process has become, at best, a series of compromises. The growth of the community has outstripped the ability of the format to handle the number of posts needed comfortably. The spirit of the sidebar has slowly shifted from sharing and filling space to competing for space. That has changed the tenor of the conversation somewhat. It's still good, but the confinement is an issue we shouldn't have to deal with.
I have been working with the folks from SBN to find solutions that would make the sidebar experience better for all: more space, more freedom, a more customizable experience. This is going to be a long process, but it has begun at least.
Second, yes...there will be moderators coming soon. Nothing is going to happen before the end of the playoffs but over the summer--certainly by the start of next season--I'll have help monitoring the sidebar. This isn't an overnight process either, as we have to have guidelines that are clear but don't overwhelm either the moderators or the content.
I need you to have some patience with these things even while understanding that they're needed and on the way.
We also need to talk about what's been going on in the meantime.
The influx of participants due to the playoffs has exacerbated both of the situations mentioned above. There are even more sidebar posts and comments and more of them tread the line of needing moderation, or at least adjustment. Most of the posts are still good, frankly. But after a loss in particular things can get hairy.
I understand the frustration that comes with having to sort through that. It happens periodically as new Blazer cycles bring in new readers. The influx at this point is particularly large, the circumstances particularly intense, and thus the emotions particularly pronounced.
The reaction to the influx has also been pronounced, in many cases not to the good.
One of the main issues is that posters, accustomed to more traditional formats, have viewed the sidebar as a place to post venting rants about things that annoy them. It's been possible at certain points to find multiple Fanposts of this nature on the front page. That has bothered me some, but it's correctable. People get over that. People learn the culture and etiquette. People learn to share the sidebar space equitably. Every one of us has learned to do the same and that's what has made the community standards what they are.
More problematic in my eyes have been some of the responses to these posts. They often vent annoyance and frustration at the post and the poster without other nuance. Phrases like, "You shouldn't post this" or "I'm sick of this kind of thing" or "If there were moderators they'd delete this" have become more frequent.
So...the problems with the posts are that they're simply venting, splattering all over the sidebar repeatedly, not really adding much to the discussion other than "This is MY OPINION!!!", boring most and making reasonable folks frustrated. The problems with the comments in response to the posts are that they're simply venting, splattering all over the sidebar repeatedly, not really adding much to the discussion other than "This is MY OPINION!!!", boring most and making reasonable folks frustrated.
Catch my drift here?
There are a couple of differences though:
A. At least the original posters are talking about the Blazers and/or basketball through the lens of their frustration, which is a basic topic that somebody might want to read about. The comments in response are talking about other posters through the lens of frustration, which nobody really has any chance of wanting to read about.
And...
B. The original posts are coming from new people who have a decent chance of learning better if they want to stick around. The comments are coming from people who have been here for a while and probably should know better.
Frankly in the threads that people have identified as most in need of moderation the parts that would be moderated have not been as much the original posts as the responses to them. That shouldn't be happening.
Until we get things adjusted to ease conversation, the proper responses to a Fanpost you think is out of place are, roughly in order:
1. Do not respond with a comment. Just move on. One of the discouraging things to me is that annoying Fanposts are getting dozens of comments while some great ones get fewer. Focus the conversational energy on the Fanposts that deserve it and let the lack of comments in the others send the message about what is valued here.
2. If you must respond with a comment, especially to a newer person, make it gentle and helpful. If you can't do that, leave it for a person who can. I've heard enough feedback that entering the conversation at this site can be intimidating because of the level of discourse. It's neither fair nor wise to add intentional intimidation on top of that.
3. If you think a Fanpost is wildly out of place, flag it. Those flags do get responses.
4. If you have a more serious issue than that even, e-mail me. My address is on every post. I will and do respond to things like this.
In all things, just as we ask of newer people, make sure what you're posting is for the good of the site and its community and not just for the good of you.
I cannot depend on people who are brand new to immediately assimilate everything about the community. I do depend on you guys to embody it. You are supposed to be taking care of it and making it better.
Every person you drive away is a person who's never coming back. I've never viewed numbers as the measuring stick for this site's success. I've marked this community as an important, respectable voice...a welcoming place...a place where fans can truly enjoy each other and feel comfortable. Every time somebody gets driven out from that in favor of annoyance this community becomes less the place that it's meant to be and becomes poorer thereby.
Help is on the way. Good times are on the way. Don't lose your bearings about what we're doing here in the meantime. Lifting a slogan from the Blazers... "Make it Better".
More fun that way, eh?
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
P.S. A last, important reminder for old and new alike...
Just because a post is controversial, breaks new ground, or you don't agree with it you don't get to attack the poster. Very few of the oldest old-timers can lay claim to knowing this, but part of the reason I started blogging was that even back in the team's darker times there was basically no place online where a person could reasonably discuss out-of-the-box, or even critical, views without being attacked left and right and pegged as someone who was stupid, or not a fan, or didn't watch games, or whatever. That kind of thing kills conversation.
I just read through the post below about the potential of trading Greg Oden and though I wasn't necessarily in agreement with the premises set forth, it was a valid, well-explained, detailed post. Some of the responses to it left me aghast and embarrassed for all of us. If you don't agree with something then explain why and give details, furthering the conversation and debate. If you start pronouncing everybody who doesn't agree with you as stupid, though, I am going to ban you without mercy. This isn't the site for that.
391 comments
|
26 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I knew I should not have joined till the slow part of the summer...
I feel like such a Bandwagon dude now. That said… even some of us new folks are with you on this.
I think we all were at some point. I revere you anyway
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
lmao....slow, part?, summer? giggle.
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
Agree completely...thanks for the reminder, Dave.
I remember my first post at Bedge was a complete copy and paste job from Oregon Live, and it was also a duplicate of what someone had posted earlier.
Epic fail.
Luckily, everyone was pretty friendly and helped me assimilate rather quickly.
Hopefully that’s the key around here—encouraging good stuff from everyone in a friendly manner.
Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo.
I have had similar experiences
And I’ve learned through posting what people are actually interested in discussing. Usually fanposts with something controversial or inflammatory get the most comments, and my fanposts tend to be closer to the wildly dull side of the spectrum.
Also I’ve learned that for the biggest bang for your buck you should respond to one of the first couple comments on the post so that everyone reads your stuff. Who scrolls all the way down any more, really?
by MavetheGreat on Apr 29, 2009 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Who scrolls all the way down any more, really?
[Quietly raises hand]
I often scroll to the bottom and work my way back up. There’s often fruitful stuff at the bottom from people who have mulled over the earlier comments and have formed opinions accordingly.
(But I enjoy the fact that you replied to an early post in this thread to talk about commenting early in threads! I assumed that was intentional and got a chuckle)
yeh, good point
a lot of the old timers will discuss at the bottom of the thread long after everyone else is gone. Usually Tom.
Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo.
uh-oh. I think I upset him.
I apologize for questioning your mental health.
I Blazersedge daily, nightly and ever so rightly.
It's a good list.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I have a warning list too
And a list of folks not to read just regarding certain subjects because I like them for other reason. I think I need to put in in Excel.
Sad but true
"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 29, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Well
I wanted to write it as it’s own comment, but then appel82 posted that eye-catching picture and I knew I had to wedge it in above that. What a jerk.
by MavetheGreat on Apr 29, 2009 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I do
when the subject is interesting and thought provoking.
Sometimes those short posts have led to meaty discussions too.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
LOL, I do too.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I try to do this as much as possible
and because of this I tend to shy away from some threads with hundreds of comments.
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
Like this one. THere's a lot, but it's mostly worth reading.
I just always forget to come back and see what people said.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
i dont remember my first post
but im pretty sure it was an epic fail, lol
Sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
Does the system archive posts from the old site?
It’d be funny to go back and look at the old days
by MavetheGreat on Apr 29, 2009 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
It does!
Go to the Fanpost or fanshot link at the top of the page… you can see them organized by most popular per day…week..all time…
I remember
You said something like “Greg Oden looks old” and I replied “SHUT UP NEWBIE” in all caps of course
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Apr 29, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Haha Great post
I especially liked no one getting Mortimer’s joke.
by MavetheGreat on Apr 30, 2009 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions
This snarky comment coming from the guy (me)
Who brain-farted and posted a photo in a game thread. Talk about epic fail.
(facepalm)
not fair that the moderators will get that cool of nicknames
<img src=“”http://photobucket.com/images/mods" target="_blank">
"/>
"The refs have caused a bird-pig flu pandemic"
This picture makes me think of the movie SLC Punk.
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
that's what i thought of too
Truth never was or can be propagated by fire and sword - Albert Gallatin
I like this picture
it’s really eye-catching.
by MavetheGreat on Apr 29, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions
flagged.
Just kidding. I’ve had to remind my self not to attack people lately, everyone is a little edgy from this series, newcomers and even some old hats it seems (I’d call myself a tweener). I’m sure when the season is over for the Blazers there will be some nice, thoughtful reflective posts and video montages to come. Let’s go Bedgers, Let’s go! [clap clap]
"The refs have caused a bird-pig flu pandemic"
Yup.
Definitely waiting until the season is over to post some stuff. Hopefully in the offseason a post can stay on the 20-fanpost sidebar for more than 24 hours.
"We really don't reference the rulebook." ~Joe Borgia, NBA VP of referee operations, to Henry Abbot regarding the calling (or lack thereof) of traveling.
+92
Attacking people is something trying to avoid as well. I am feeling pretty snarky about the refs
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Apr 29, 2009 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
There have been a couple of times where I have almost given up on reading fanposts and comments period.
But there are good posts and good comments. And those are the ones we want to foster. Calling people idiots for not agreeing with us should be below this site, but I’ve seen it more and more, and not just from new people. But engaging people who have different opinions than we do, even if wildly so, is how good conversation happens. And good conversation is always worth hearing (or reading).
Of all the things that can be expressed in the printed word – love, hate, fear, joy – true humor is the one that is the most difficult of all. Sarcasm, for example, is an art of delicate subtlety. Yet too many people wield it as a bulldozer – loud, smelly, ugly, and destructive – and think they are being funny.
Thanks.
The responses to the “Trade Greg Oden” post were mostly out-of-line. Although, I applaud the few people who tried to make a rational argument out of this instead of insulting the guy (girl?). That is what we need more of around here. That is what makes good conversation.
Of all the things that can be expressed in the printed word – love, hate, fear, joy – true humor is the one that is the most difficult of all. Sarcasm, for example, is an art of delicate subtlety. Yet too many people wield it as a bulldozer – loud, smelly, ugly, and destructive – and think they are being funny.
I ended up taking Dave's advice on that thread-- just stayed out of it
The thread title alone just begged for responses… it was bound to go downhill.
I have an appreciation for those who tried to reasonably talk about the topic though. Those folks did good work. :)
But yeah, that thread is the definition of “just don’t respond to it”.
I made some comments in sarcastic ways, but
I realize it’s difficult to detect sarcasm when written due to the lack of inflections that most people can detect verbally
If any of my comments were taken in a negative light, which was not the purpose, and in any response I’ve ever made, I apologize
Blazers win!
i should have not responded to it
but the title was just begging it. with a title like that its hard not to be emotional when we all care so passionately about the team.
I got 6 years of playoff blue balls going on, and I'm ready to release. GO BLAZERS. ~Mortimer
by Philthyanimal on Apr 29, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes men
are boring men.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
Me too
mea maxima culpa.
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Apr 29, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
nah you aren't
lol what we ’sposed to do, ignore the blatant taunts of houston fans??
i dont think so
Sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
Suggested new alias
“tomwithrestrainingorder”
by DonkeyShins on Apr 29, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
a good analogy
would be…when ariza gave the hit on rudy, would you fight back or would you walk away from it? it we expect toughness from our team, we shouldnt back down as posters too (sarcasm…well sorta)
I got 6 years of playoff blue balls going on, and I'm ready to release. GO BLAZERS. ~Mortimer
by Philthyanimal on Apr 29, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Here's to Blazersedge
Still being the most civil place on the internet
As long as you know there's a problem, Dave, and are planning on taking steps to remedy it (moderators), no problems...
Here are my three nominees…
1. Norskie
2. Morty
3. Annie
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
they all have good senses of humor about themselves
which I think is an absolute for a moderator.
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Apr 29, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Those are good choices
they all make great comments, are very involved, and write fun and informed material. They seem to be well reasoned. I would trust them. I don’t know them that well as I have not been here that long, but I always notice when they post and they all stand out as people I am happy see (read).
Ok, thats enough, its not like I’m asking them for a job or anything. Boy do I sound like an apple polisher.
So you change your name to Tomlovestravis and you've got no issues!
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
I'd recognize the content.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
Surely you jest. Norsk and Morty
would be great moderators. I, on the other hand, sometimes can’t help but be mean to people when they irritate me and I have a sharp and sarcastic tongue when provoked. I hardly have the time to comment in the threads I do read. There are so many now that I read only a few. If you need a female for affirmative action reasons I would suggest Corvid and/or Jorga. I <3 you for thinking of me though.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
Thanks for the callout ATF
But I have to admit, I feel a little uncomfortable being in the same sentence as Jorga. I adore Jorga because 1) she has the wisdom to not comment unless it’s absolutely necessary and 2) when she does comment, it’s super-articulate. As for future moderators, I trust Dave and Ben to work their magic.
Yep. Jorga is the role model.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
Wow
are we thinking about the same person??
Actually you and I are on the same page so often that we could probably merge and no one would notice… (I no longer have a bird avatar though… maybe I could paint your crow with Blazer colors?)
(I do thank you for the kind words – I still appreciate warm fuzzies. )
" I think Roy hit, like, 2,395 game-winners this season. He's every bit the clutch franchise player that the elite of the elite are." - Vincent Thomas, nba.com
Jorga is a great example. She'd be great.
PUT BATUM IN NOW: Rallying cry of the BBIQ appreciation club
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
by rockingharder on Apr 29, 2009 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Those are great candidates.
But do you think any of them would want to invest the enormous amount of time that would probably be required to do a credible job? Doubtful. I envision a somewhat power hungry/insecure person needing an authoritative position to boost his/her ego that would take on such a time consuming, thankless job. Norskie, Morty and Annie definitely don’t fit that profile.
Paid, objective moderators would be the way to go. But of course, there are no funds to pay them.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
Good suggestions, timbo
While we’re at it, how about jscot? That way he can practice his whole ruling-the-world shtick as well as diplomacy (iron fist in a velvet glove and all that).
He's on work leave
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Thanks Dave
Don’t forget that older posters also attack older posters. A poster I respect quite a bit compared me to David Duke for criticizing Outlaw so I am glad to hear you are on top of this situation. That one in particular really hurt.
"Death is not final," Gita says. "If any man thinks that he slays, and if another thinks that he is slain, neither knows the truth. The Eternal in man cannot kill: the Eternal in man cannot die. The soul in man is neither born nor does it die. Weapons cannot cut it; fire cannot burn it; water cannot drown it.
The Bhagavad Gita
Yeah
just ignore TIH
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Apr 29, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Looks aren't everything
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Apr 29, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Are you having a party?
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Sweet
I’ve been trying for months now!
lol
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Apr 29, 2009 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Any initial plans re: the redesign?
Would it be helpful to go over plans with the community before it goes into place, or would that just open a bigger can of worms?
Any kind of beta testing for a feedback period?
(I’m admittedly curious how the community portions might be redesigned to improve readability and flow)
There might well be both
But not yet. We’re still nailing down concepts. I’m not entirely sure what turn it will take myself, if any.
—Dave
I'd like to vote for a dedicated spot for a daily chat thread.
Maybe auto posting. It’s one less thing to crowd out fan posts and recs. A dedicated trade talk section would be good too.
I think that's what Zaruga's point is.
A Junk Drawer uses up one recommended fanpost spot every day.
Of all the things that can be expressed in the printed word – love, hate, fear, joy – true humor is the one that is the most difficult of all. Sarcasm, for example, is an art of delicate subtlety. Yet too many people wield it as a bulldozer – loud, smelly, ugly, and destructive – and think they are being funny.
I see
The Junk Drawer has been good for helping to consolidate some of the things that are worth about 1/2 a post. I wonder how many of the newer BEdgers know about the JD and it’s reason for being.
I am still fairly new
and I didn’t realize it was just a general conversation thread until the day before game 1
Blazers win!
great point
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
Exactly.
Which is why having a dedicated spot for it (labeled thus) would help a lot I think, as well as encourage more socializing and conversation.
Perhaps a rebranding of the Junk Drawer is in order
or at least a re-emphasis on its purpose.
Its called the Junk Drawer (or just JD these days for short) largely because that is what Dave called it when he created it and the name stuck, despite the efforts of some to call it things like “Trail Mix” and “Blazing Embers”
The amusing thing is that if you read the very first JD, there is complaining about post replication then as there is now.
The Junk Drawer
Needs its own section. Called “a forum.”
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
by sixth on Apr 29, 2009 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
A useful rule can be imported from Wikipedia:
“Do not bite the newbies”.
Or us old farts, for that matter.
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
by EngineerScotty on Apr 29, 2009 12:49 PM PDT reply actions
comments
> First of all, I have been aware for a while that the current sidebar posting process has become, at best, a series of compromises. The growth of the community has outstripped the ability of the format to handle the number of posts needed comfortably. The spirit of the sidebar has slowly shifted from sharing and filling space to competing for space. That has changed the tenor of the conversation somewhat. It’s still good, but the confinement is an issue we shouldn’t have to deal with.
At what point do we stop relying on the sidebar and go to the pull-down menu at the top of the page for Fanposts and Fanshots?
> Second, yes…there will be moderators coming soon.
This is good.
Thank you Dave and Ben for the best Blazer site ever. – Elgin
Tonight felt like the day you open the mail and receive an acceptance letter to your dream school: the University of Playoffs. - Ben Golliver, Apr 15 2009
Is there anyway to recommend that before posting a comment we read all the comments
I’m a HUGE comment reader. I like those almost better than the original post, but it’s gotten burdensome because ideas repeat themselves so often in the comments these days. Few seem to be reading comments before commenting. Is it possible to add that request?
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Apr 29, 2009 12:50 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
and as an admission
I’ve been bad about being annoyed. Sorry, I’ll just punch my wall from now on:)
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I am always bad about being annoyed...
like many of us are. I am definitely guilty of calling people out if they are acting like Chicken-Little’s with the whole sky-is-falling scenario’s. I like to read all the posts and find out what angles people are coming from, but as viewing myself as one side of the coin (generally glass is half full) and try to always comment against those “nay-sayers” who are consistently negative about the franchise and the players we have.
I am definitely guilty of name-calling and taunting, it is always about a posters negative perspective. No, I don’t have a badge as being the negativity police, but in my actions of taunting posters about their views I make it clear that I disagree with them because I view those posters as “littering” negative garbage on this site. I do work at censoring myself, but I definitely guilty of posting comments that are directed directly at posters.
If I post a response comment to someone and call them a “nay-sayer” and say “why don’t you go find a team that you can actually get behind” is that too over the top?
by Portland Dynasty on Apr 29, 2009 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I think so.
It’s about what they’re saying. If they’re negative, there’s a reason. That reason’s up for debate, not they’re negativity. For my part, I don’t mind admonishing a person for fatalistic and severely pessimistic stances, but here we have to do it in a nice way. It’s more likely to calm that person and bring them around in any case. Incidentally, they’re less likely to annoy us down the road if we show them how to reason and see things in a brighter light. It’s kind of like that sappy, stupid movie, Pay it Forward.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Why shouldn't someone's negativity be an issue for me or other bloggers?
“Show them how to reason”? that is pretty out there man… I am not on here blogging (and I feel like I am speaking for Millions, and Millions around the world) to be anyone’s teacher or mentor. I am here to discuss the Blazers and to back the franchise because I believe in them… KP, Nate, and most of the guys on the team. I am not here to reason other bloggers from being “haters” of certain players and I do think it is interesting when I read another blogger who does call someone out for being a negative-nelly. And do want to partake in discussions by disagreeing with people. Absolutely, I believe in the message of this post… which is to not be an idiot on this website… but I do think that the freedom of expression needs to remain flexible.
I am interested in “paying it forward” by showing my support of our guys (the Blazers players) and sometimes flat out calling someone a “nay-sayer” or “non-believer”. You never know if one of our Blazers players is gonna sneak on here and read some posts, and if, say, Greg Oden, doesn’t read a poster like me sticking up for him in the forrest of haters, that kids confidence in Portland embracing him and wanting him here would be fleeting. That is the kharma that I am worried about. That is the “pay it forward” that I concern myself with. If a negative-nelly is called a hater enough times, then they might reconsider their outlook on this team and its players… without having to “bring them around” the way a councelor would.
by Portland Dynasty on Apr 29, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions
It's possible to stick up for players and the team
without being combative. I also feel like by joining a social community (like this one) you are implying a responsibility to that community. Helping newbies learn the ropes is a part of that. Blogs are free, the people who run them sink a ton of energy into it. Some of us don’t have the time to add more than a voice, but that means others should pick up the slack somewhere. Otherwise we’re all just grabbing handfuls from the leave a penny jar.
Indeed
The general point of the site is to have conversations, which generally implies reading the thoughts of others. This is opposed to 300 people just throwing up their thoughts disconnected from each other, which is what happens if nobody reads the comments.
—Dave
When I first joined, it was discourse.
You could literally follow the arguments through the comments of different posters. They identified the fundamentals of disagreement, extinguished false disagreements, and moved knowledge further. People listened to each other, and admitted error. That was precisely why I started reading this blog. If this blog were a university program, it’d be a PhD level (in process anyway). I’d love a little more of that.
There’s a surge of opinion and the sentiment that it’s sacred. Since I’m asking stuff, is it also possible to refresh people’s memory about thinking critically? Opinions are just objects. Arguments (not the mean kind, but the debatey kind) have legs. So instead of the “Rudy needs to play more → Our offense works off Roy, Aldridge in an inside out fashion→ Rudy needs to play more” type dialog we get something like ""Rudy needs to play more → Our offense works off Roy, Aldridge in an inside out fashion→ if the opposing team has bigger small forwards on the floor that increases Rudy’s handle relative to the D, so he can operate similarly to Roy, then Rudy needs to play more." We’re just missing this sort of exchange.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Apr 29, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'll second that.
When I first started lurking (late 2006, early 2007) I learned a great deal about the ins and outs of basketball. Now? It’s about who can Internet-holler the loudest, or it is for some. We can get back there, but it is going to take effort from everyone.
Of all the things that can be expressed in the printed word – love, hate, fear, joy – true humor is the one that is the most difficult of all. Sarcasm, for example, is an art of delicate subtlety. Yet too many people wield it as a bulldozer – loud, smelly, ugly, and destructive – and think they are being funny.
You're not going to get back there without a very large cudgel being swung on a vast number of insipid posts...
The front page doesn’t have the problem since access is restricted — and jealously guarded. Which is fine.
Unfortunately, the sidebar has no such gatekeepers and it has very rapidly become the repository of a growing river of effluent.
We need gatekeepers — people who can (nicely) teach the earnest noobs how to do it right and those who can send the really bad posts (of which there are many) on to the happy hunting ground of the digital circular file…
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
Well said, but culture has a funny way of assimilating people.
Gatekeepers would work faster, but accomplish the same thing. As long as we’re vigilant and smart.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Yeah, it does seem like there's been a lot more trench warfare
than civil discourse. The frustrations of this series in relation to our expectations coming down the stretch are contributing to a general crankiness. There seems to be a lot more classical forum monkey fighting going on these days.
I'm not sure whether it's just that or the influx has yet to see the value and worth of discourse
there’s still about a quarter of all comments that are discursive. It’s hard to weed them though. I wish people would use comment recs more often, not just for things they agree with but for arguments that carry weight.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Apr 29, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think a lot of people are intimidated by the rec thing
It can be a strange and mysterious thing. What if this button blows something up? More often, “who am I to decide if a comment is worthwhile or not” or “I don’t want to be on record as promoting a ‘side’ on an issue”
by zaruga on Apr 29, 2009 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Somewhat self-fulfilling, too
since you almost never see things recced, you tend to not do it unless the comment blows you away. That, and the fact that reccing a comment has basically no effect are the two biggest barriers to comment recs right now.
Obviously not “you” as in zaruga, but the general “you”. I’m just too lazy to rephrase that without it.
I tend to look for them, so maybe it's different for me
If I see three recs, and I don’t see why it’s an interesting comment, it makes me thing a little harder. Sometimes I see something I didn’t before. Sometimes not, but either way, it’s a signal that someone thinks this is a good and strong point. Listening seems like a tactically sound idea, as people will often tell you things of value.
Don’t ever worrying about calling me “you.” 99% of people do so when talking to me.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I tend to look for them as well
and they’re still very rare. I’ll read something regardless of whether it’s recced, but I tend to think it will sort of snowball. People don’t rec now because they don’t see many comments having recs. If every good comment started to get recs, then more people would hop on the comment reccing bandwagon pretty quickly.
I'd like to see
the line for comment greening to get dropped from 5 to 3. If three people thought highly enough of a comment to recommend it, it’s not going to cause this large drop in quality compared to if five people thought highly enough of a comment to recommend it. It’ll also put the focus back on reading the comments and encourage people to have positive discourse in the hopes of getting the more readily available greening.
The Michael Ruffin of BlazersEdge, cuz Amlmart said so.
by BlazersOrBust on Apr 29, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Or possibly
there should be a change in color tone even with one rec and at the third (or fifth) rec it goes fully green.
by portlandpete on Apr 29, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
oooh, that's a great idea
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
anf you, my friend, will reach Shartruse!
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Is that like chartreuse?
PUT BATUM IN NOW: Rallying cry of the BBIQ appreciation club
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
by rockingharder on Apr 29, 2009 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep, no one wants to be the first in line
Things that are already rec’ed are more likely to be rec’ed again.
The "rec'd" comments Top 5... should be more like Top 10....
Dave,
I know you addressed some of the changes to the site that you are working on and while reading right here I had a thought, how about extending the rec’d top portion of the postings. I have gone into my settings and set the fanpost to show 50 so that I have a much longer list to look at. But a longer Rec’d section would be cool because then more of the “good” stuff would be more accessable to the bloggers on here, promoting reading and reacting to more of the good stuff.
by Portland Dynasty on Apr 29, 2009 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions
LOL on blowing up.
Anyone one is worth of judgment. It’s the one thing we should be willing to give and change all the time. It’s not a bad thing. Judgment used to be a virtue.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I'm a huge comment reader too
Usually before I get too far in, someone has made the exact same point I would’ve made, but they’ve done it much better job of it than I would have done. So out of sheer laziness, I don’t say anything. But your comment, Hobobob, has inspired me to give the virtual thumbs up more often — I hereby resolve to rec a lot more comments.
By the way, +1.
by Corvid on Apr 29, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Woo hoo. I love Recced comments
I search for them constantly but rarely find them. I’d love to get sick of them
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Apr 29, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
maybe the site revision can move rec'd comments to the top...
so they get read. might lose a little continuity if its in the middle of a thread though
‘OK Nic, swag on out on ‘em!’
I don't mind scrolling down. Following the conversation is part of the fun
and finding a recced comment is like finding buried treasure with a map. Finding a comment that should be recced is like finding buried treasure without a map.
It’s a good idea, but it does seem like it’d tear the continuity apart.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
You're a jolly jokester today.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
hmmm, dave also only had three hours of sleep.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I had 4, dang.
Should have stayed up later so we could have a little more syncronicity
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
by sixth on Apr 29, 2009 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
And for Dog's Sake!
Can we get a flippin’ edit function? Please?
It would save me tons of shoe and/or crow eating…mmmm….crow…
When I first joined
Pippen[pimping?] aint easy was runing amuck and he became sort of my anti-role model,the guy I didnt want to be.I am flat out amazed how many peeps have joined since then and I have certainly noticed the increase in chaos in the side bar
by southern oregon on Apr 29, 2009 1:13 PM PDT reply actions
LOL, that guys was (in his own way) awesome, but so rude
So many times he masked his great points behind scathing insults. I love people of all types. That said, he had to go.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
and it was Pippenainteasy
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Make sure Ben reads your post
I very much agree with your post, Dave, and appreciate your guidance. I am new to BE this season, and it has made a huge difference in my ability to enjoy the Blazers from up here in Seattle.
You mentioned the Trade Oden post. Ben called it out on the main page in a pretty negative light. If the two of you want to encourage productive conversation, I’m not sure that’s the best way to do it.
Just a thought.
Bring back the Uncle Cliffy!
whoah
dont attack Ben.
So Rude.
Sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
It's not rude
if the critique (not an attack) is deserved.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
"make sure ben reads your post"
condescencion (sp?) in my book = rude
just saying
Sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
That could have been worded better
yes. The ultimate point was a good one though.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
I promise I do better when I'm not commenting during a conference call. :D
Bring back the Uncle Cliffy!
"that could have been worded better"....
Freedom of expression needs to be a little flexible, and getting caught up on word choices here in cyber space seems to be more than ticky-tacky…
What is the difference between a critique and an attack?
This is a wide grey line, yeah I am sure some don’t like reading something that seems condescending or sarcastic, and others may take something not how it was intended. Communication is more about how communication is recieved than how it was intended, but correcting or expecting people in cyber space to use the best words, right words, nice tone, or even consistent well-thought out ideas is a pretty exotic dream. I mean, go read one or all of fatty’s posts… right? If that dude can consistently get away with his nonsense (my opinion) then others deserve the flexibility to create their own on-line persona, like his. For me, I try to be a BELIEVER and an Anti-Hater… those are the tone’s that I take with my posts. No, I don’t claim to be the Blazer-Loving Police on here, but I do Ring the Believer and Supporter bell as loud as I can against, as I said before, the forrest of haters and nay-sayers out there. And really, this site really helped form me into the type of poster that I am. I got to a point where I didn’t like reading anymore because it seemed to overwhelming to me to read ALL the anti-youth, anti-Oden, anti-Travis, anti-Blake, anti-role players, anti-patience, anti-Blazers comments that were over-powering too many fanshots.
Whether your intention is to be rude or not be rude, how different people read one comment could differ greatly… that is the tricky part of communication, and monitoring it. It is also probably too much to ask of the community on here to always apologize when someone feels that a post was rude to them, or that they are offended by something. Sure, there are some common ground items that can be expected out of this community… but again, there should be flexibility to the freedom of expression.
What are the boundries that we need to protect for the best interest of this site? I don’t know… but they should be carefully defined.
by Portland Dynasty on Apr 29, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
A critque applies to the message
An attack applies to the messenger.
Tone is hard to interpret and convey on the net, as you say. That makes it even more vital to express ourselves in a thoughtful, diplomatic way.
My intention was not to be rude
sincere apologies if it was. I think its always important to look at oneself first when passing out advice.
Bring back the Uncle Cliffy!
so you are saying i am being rude
by calling you out? nice. point is , if you have a real concern about material ben or dave writes, you can email them and the problem is usually solved immediatly.
To call ben out in the thread about making this site better is not acceptable and frankly, its rude.
sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
No.
I understand where you are coming from. I’ll word things better next time.
Bring back the Uncle Cliffy!
Maybe I'm missing the sarcasm tag
but I think he was accepting blame and calling himself rude.
by portlandpete on Apr 29, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
She seems to have missed his point. He didn’t call her rude at all. He was talking about Ben or himself. Didn’t seem that tough to figure out to me.
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Apr 29, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions
"Advice is the only thing worth giving; it's never of any use to oneself."
That’s why I am full of it. Read that anyway you like.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Foucault says how you see something is more a reflection of yourself than the object
It might be that your more apt to see condescension in things that ratbastird is. Two different people with very different lives should not see it the same way. The question is what’s the difference and which one has the easier life?
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Apr 29, 2009 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
LOL, you never know when you'll run into a Baudrillardian.
I love seeing this sort of thing in the most unexpected of places.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
The comment seemed like he was just advocating consistency to me.
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
hey buddy
why are you here? because you know the Hawks will never be able to get past the Cavs in the east?
Will they get past the Heat?
I wondered about his name as well.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
yikes
Other than that fluke trip to the Super Bowl, that franchise has been an epic fail, pwnd by the rest of the NFL, with bad karma.
They lead the NFL in number of seasons finishing 7-9, 8-8, and 9-7.
They’ve never won the Super Bowl and never had a #1 pick. That pretty much spells “mediocrity” to me.
PUT BATUM IN NOW: Rallying cry of the BBIQ appreciation club
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
by rockingharder on Apr 29, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Ahhh, and someone makes sense out of it.
Pretty pathetic on my part.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
aren't these the comments we're trying to weed out? ;)
I am, in fact, a Seahawk, Mariner, and Blazer fan. I grew up in Portland and moved out to Seattle after college. I was the guy wearing the Blazer jersey in Key Arena the last 11 years when our team rolled into town. It was not pretty until the last few seasons. It never came close to reaching that awesome period in the early 90’s where we greatly outnumbered Sonics fans in the Tacoma Dome games.
It’s a bummer that I pissed people off. Honestly was trying to help.
Bring back the Uncle Cliffy!
Some people anger easily
Ben’s not very sarcastic, but he’s a tough dude. It was a fair enough point. I’ve never seen anyone called out like that, let alone on their first post. Ben’s just blunt. I hope the poster takes it the right way and doesn’t become disillusioned.
I’m not sure you made many people mad. One thing I know is that Sophia is intensely loyal. You have to envy her friends. But, contrary to what she said, this does seem like the place to point it out. Ben’s awesome, but he’s not perfect. None are. Your comment related to the post. Basically, you were saying, “Well, Dave, if you’re going to ask us this, you ought also to do this?” Fair game.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Which, uh, doesn't necessarily mean I agree with your original message.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
2008 was an EPIC (FAIL) year for sports in the state of Washington...
Huskies vs. Cougars in the FAIL Bowl… U-Dub redefines futility…
Mariners are the worst team in baseball…
Sea-chickens get back to their usual ways…
I have to respect you for not jumping off those hideous bandwagons… but wow, what a great place for sports.
I have to agree with Rick Reilly (when he wrote the column on why the Seahawks would lose the Super Bowl in 2006… there’s an inbred loser mentality in that city and state.
Oh man. It's been brutal
The Blazers have been a welcome change. I’m not sure inbred is how I’d describe anything in Seattle as most are transplants like myself, but ingrained failure is not far off. As a Blazer fan since I moved to Portland as a kid in 1980, I can’t say I’ve experienced much better. Our loss in game 7 to the Lakers was one of the worst moments in my sports life. We were so much the better team…
I think we could have taken the Pistons too in the 90s.
Hawks are a solid club, though. I think we’ll miss Holmgren who is every bit the HoF coach, but that’s probably best left for my seahawks blogs…
Bring back the Uncle Cliffy!
Dave, you are hiring me?
Second, yes…there will be moderators coming soon
bwahahahahahaaha!
i wish you would have emailed me first.. what a an honor! :)
Sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
he might be hiring you...
but it won’t be for moderating..
I need to refrain from making inappropriate comments. Focus Tom. Focus Tom… FOCUS
i know
I meant he might want to hire her to set up his personal blog… since she has already set up her own, successful personal blog (“WantonIntentions” or whatever)…
But then again, Dave is an experienced blogger and computer literate as far as I can tell.
So why would he need her to set that up? He wouldn’t obviously.
I can just imagine the joy it would give Annie to WHACK!!! this post.....
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
I would whack the poster. And to tell the truth I'm befuddled that he's still here.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
by annthefan on Apr 29, 2009 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
careful now
“whack” has different connotations depending on where you are…
easy Annie… I don’t want people to get the wrong idea.
Rasheed don't like it
Whack the poster. Whack the poster. – The Clash
Brandon Roy: strengths-remarkably efficient player who appears to effortlessly score and facilitate weakness-he’s just a figment of your imagination. - Canis Hoopus
Shouldn't Moderators be somewhat ......moderate?
(see what I did there??)
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Apr 29, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Soph is extreme
if there was an opening for an “extremist”…she would be a shoo in
actually is was just wordplay
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Apr 29, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
she might be extreme today... but 100 years from now, she would be seen as moderate
The ideas of militant feminism today will be common thought sometime in the future.
She is moderate if you ask me. She hates Travis, loves Nic, hates Canzano, and loves Ben.
For every Ying position, she has a Yang position. I don’t see that as “un-moderate” … that’s just typical fanboy/girl-iness.
the Moderator's don't need to have certain views, but be fair and open-minded
the point is to have some people who care about the best of this site, not their own personal agenda’s…
Unless that person is me, then I am fine moderating based on my own feelings. This site would be so awesome… to me.
by Portland Dynasty on Apr 29, 2009 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions
is Sophia "fair and open minded" ???
that should be the only test…
Do we need to start a FanPost on whether or not Sophia would be a good moderator?
That's one of those questions that makes people
run. The arguments would be fun to read.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Also,
this cant possibly apply during playoffs. When we get to the 2nd round the l*ker blog will be trolling the you-know-what out of the site to up it’s readership (so obvious) … i am not going down like a punk Dave.. very un sophia like I always say ..
but for next season when we DOMINATE THE UNIVERSE, this site will need like 80000 moderators and i’ll happily lead the pack, thanks for asking :)
Sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
by BlazerFan1 on Apr 29, 2009 1:29 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Dave:
see fanshots.. tell me what doesn’t belong
(hint: http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/4/29/858923/does-jerryd-bayless-moonlight-as-a)
Sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
she has a bayless face
it’s a little weird.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
she has 9 lbs of makeup on
and big tits… has nothing to do w/ the blazers
sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
A little sense of humor is good
She does have a Bayless face.
:)
I know you have your reasons to overreact to “sexist” posts, but we’re mostly guys so stuff like that will happen from time to time.
It’s not like this happens every day.
by Falcao on Apr 29, 2009 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I SUBMIT
OH YES MASTER, I SUBMIT
I am not fit to sign my name
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
wow that came off really
snarky, of course that was the intent, but in a funny way not a rude way .
so LOL it was meant as a joke
sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
I thought the same thing...
What’s that have to do with the Blazer’s? Perhaps a JD post instead?
‘OK Nic, swag on out on ‘em!’
exactly
JD material all the same
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
From the Welcome Guide
FanShots – Share Your Discoveries
You know that video you found while searching YouTube for highlights of your favorite player? You don’t need a full FanPost—the video speaks for itself. FanShots let you easily share quick hits like these with everyone on the blog.
by levelhed on Apr 29, 2009 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
rec
I’m a fan of backing things up with the site rules.
PUT BATUM IN NOW: Rallying cry of the BBIQ appreciation club
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
by rockingharder on Apr 29, 2009 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions
They aren't that big
….just sayin
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Apr 29, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
They aren't big at all... they are small...just sayin'
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The concussion must have jarred him into "Destroy All Opposition Terminator Mode!" - BlazersOrBust
My opinion:
People are treating the sidebar like a conventional forum. When I first joined this site there was very little content posted there, and when there was it was always someone who thought through what they wanted to write before posting a mini-essay or article. It was more of a place for members of the site to do a little blazer blogging of their own. Healthy discussion about the points of the article would take place, and things went smoothly.
Maybe the solution is to create a space for the more forum-esque posts and separate them from the true “Fanposts.” I realize it’s a fine line here, but if you’re going to post a Fanpost it better be something you’ve thought about and put effort into. Not just some kneejerk “OMG Steve Blake whyyyy did you lose the game he must be traded NOWNOWNOW.” Your fanpost should bring a fresh perspective on some topic (your opinion) to the community and be articulate and well-constructed. If it doesn’t follow this, don’t post it.
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
by sixth on Apr 29, 2009 1:54 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
I think I was here when you joined, but not sure
One thing I know for sure is that when I was new, I posted some pretty weak stuff. The depth of conversation eventually informed me that this was a different type of site. There aren’t many like it on the internet, so people shouldn’t be accustomed. They’ll learn, just as I did. The weight of arguments and integrity of posters usually persuades people to stop ranting after a time.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
True, but there will always be new people joining the site who have to be assimilated.
However, I’d be willing to bet that we are at the peak of the problem, when the offseason comes everything will die off considerably just like last year. That should give Dave and co. time to sort it all out and get some good changes made for next season.
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
I always lurk forever, learning the culture Jane Goodall style
and still manage to make an ass of myself. ;)
by zaruga on Apr 29, 2009 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Really?! That's great. Tell me about it.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
The educational non-profit I work with was hosting Roots & Shoots one year.
We ran them through some of our Wolftree programs.
hakkaa päälle !
Very cool. She's one of my all time heroes.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
Lol
I just looked, we joined on exactly the same day :P
zaruga, you bring up a good point. I’ve seen sites that have a short period of “enforced lurking” where new members can’t post until they’ve been registered for some amount of time. I don’t think the problem here is that extreme, but it works and it’s an interesting take on it all.
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
I'm apparently bad at making little quoteboxes, bah.
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
There's good and bad there
Sort of like a cover charge, or a gun permit, it weeds out the overly anxious. But it can also weed out potentially excellent community members too. I think if you had a FAQ pop up explaining the community rules, it would help mitigate the disparities between drive by posters and intelligent but impatient people. I’m all for a waiting period on fanposts though.
On the joined
there’s no way we’ll ever know:( When Dave transferred BE to SBNation, we all basically re-joined. That’s why so many of us appear to have joined on the same day. I don’t think you took it the wrong way or anything, but just to be sure, I said that as a interlude. Meant nothing by it.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Oh yeah you're right
I was thinking April 16th sounded too recent anyway, moving on . . .
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
Personally
I love that this is not a forum-based site. I have a great deal of disdain for forums. They seem to promote that kind of lower conversation, which is why I love the sidebar— to me, it just seems more professional.
by jjustgo on Apr 29, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I am rather new myself (lurked for some time and joined this year)...
and I always thought that the reason for a fanpost was TO get the opinions of others (good or bad, obviously within some limits). I am quite sure that my few posts have been remedial at best, and the limited comments have indicated that to me.
Would it be helpful to have a screenshot or instruction/suggestion page before being able to quickly submit a new post? Is expediency that important to being able to submit a post?
I guess fear of negative comments, memory of bloggers in game day threads about my posted opinions have kept my posts to limited number…
...things go well I might be showing my O face...O...O...O...you know what I'm talking about.
I don't post Fanposts for similar reasons
But I have read a whole lot of good ones, and they are usually excellent pieces of writing that do a great job of conveying and supporting the author’s opinions. This doesn’t mean they discourage discussion. Conversely you’ll find that if you make some good points and support them with sound arguments then not only will you get a lot more people’s opinions, but you’ll inspire more thoughtful and mature discussion. The original post can set the tone for the thread, and its consistent quality that makes this community so wonderful.
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
3 ... 2 ... 1 ... *blip*
Hello and welcome to Blazer’s Edge! You are about to enter the wonderful and exciting world of creating a fan post, but first there are some things you should know . . .
That would be hilarious.
Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.
Hi Timmy!
You’re going to post a Fanpost, aren’t you?
(Freckle-faced Timmy nods.)
Well Timmy, first there are some things you should know…
Continue with discussions of inappropriate comments leading to the furtherance of Communism, etc.
—Dave
by Dave on Apr 29, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I thought
The officiating in Game 4 was what was leading to the furtherance of Communism and glory for mother China
up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, enter
by The Arkitect on Apr 29, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You're correct
in that the purpose of Fanposts is to get opinions of others. But there has to be something of substance to have an opinion on in the first place. I actually don’t mind shorter, tighter Fanposts as long as there’s something to argue or discuss in them.
However if something is nothing BUT opinion, such as, “Steve Blake is the suckiest starting point guard in the league!!!” that should be saved as a comment in somebody else’s Blake Fanpost or put as a comment in a game recap or something.
Also in no way should opinions range into calling people idiots or accusing them of not watching basketball or stuff like that.
—Dave
by Dave on Apr 29, 2009 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Does that mean fanshots too?
Really, I don’t know. The Welcome Guide makes it seem like it doesn’t need to be the meatiest of subjects, and while I’ve kept my all-important “ratio” in good standing, I don’t know.
Is there another place I should look for advice?
Fanshots are looser
It’s hard to have set rules…human conversation goes so many directions and part of the magic of the site is that a lot of things fit. We had an amazing time a couple months ago comparing players to beers. That’s not terribly meaty but it was thought-provoking and loads of fun. You have to allow for stuff like that.
There is no magic “ratio”. Basically when you have something you think is worth saying, find a way to say it. If there’s any way possible to say it in an already-existing post in the main page or sidebar, do that. If it doesn’t fit anywhere, create a post in the sidebar. If it’s a multi-faceted , well-developed thought make it a Fanpost. If it’s just a simple link or a sentence or two, make it a Fanshot. That’s about it.
The important thing is that point of this thread is not so much to keep people who are unsure from getting yelled at by making sure they conform. We have guidelines and they work pretty well. Everybody can read those in the sidebar. The point is more to get other people to chill out and give each other a break…to help people post instead of yelling at people for doing it.
—Dave
by Dave on Apr 29, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I remember that one....
I think I put on a good 20 lbs after trying all of those beers that I hadn’t before, then ended up liking, and now abstain from for fear of giving myself a coronary lol
Blazers win!
The If a Blazer was a Beer post was the opposite of "not terribly meaty"
One of the most intelligent analyses I’ve ever read here. :)
I’ll assume that to “create a post in the sidebar” you mean simply posting something in the fanshots or fanposts section. If not, I’m confused again.
I still haven't read the guidelines in the sidebar
They continue to escape my ADHD addled brainpan. However, the guidelines are pretty easy to pick up by context and observation, and the bigger ones are often repeated (nicely mostly, sometimes not so) by others, and you’re good about bringing up reminders when warranted.
I agree about not minding some of the shorter fan posts
I rarely post fan posts, but I take exception to the idea that I see sometimes advocated that every fanpost needs to be some essay that you could turn in for credit to a statistics or rhetoric class. Anything that presents a decently formed, coherent thought (which generally requires more than 75 words) is fine by me, as long as its not repeating a topic or attacking anyone.
Even some repetitions are okay by me. I know I’ve enjoyed a number of fan posts that have been on similar topics as a post with a 100+ comments, but presents a decent argument that hadn’t been addressed before within the comments of the previous post. In that case, I’ll begrudge guys a little leeway since there is that tendency to have legitimately intelligent arguments get swallowed up in a popular thread with a ton of noise in the comments causing people to skip over it.
I don’t mean to say I like seeing 80 “MY take on the officiating threads”, but I like the idea of keeping a little leeway here and not having every thread become an 800 comment monster.
Yeah
As long as you’re over 75 words the criteria for a Fanpost should be:
—Is it interesting?
—Does it have some relevance?
—Is there a place to go with the discussion after you’ve hit “post”?
—Is it different enough not to duplicate something that’s on the main page or sidebar already?
If the answer to those four questions is, “YES!” then by all means post it—long or short, multi-faceted or direct. It takes all kinds.
—Dave
by Dave on Apr 29, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I guess
right next to “relevance” should be something about “importance”. It also needs to be significant enough to be worth conversation. The sentence “I hate Travis Outlaw!!!” may technically fit the other criteria, but I tend to think that just because an opinion is mine doesn’t automatically make it important to everyone else in the world. I think a little of that outlook would help. Give us your most important, best takes on things. Save the rest for a junk drawer discussion.
—Dave
A lot of posts like those are simply
people (often in an emotionally charged state) seeking others to validate their opinion, and not interested so much in any sort of contrary discussion.
I hate Travis Outlaw!!!
-Dave, 4/29/2009
PUT BATUM IN NOW: Rallying cry of the BBIQ appreciation club
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
by rockingharder on Apr 29, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions
The 75 word minimum should be rigidly enforced also...
The ones that end GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! GO BLAZERS! (etc.) just to get to the word limit are invariably bad.
The four criteria above are pretty much on target.
I would add a 5th: “Is it timely?”
There is nothing wrong with a “Let’s Trade Greg Oden” post if it is smartly done — but NOW?!?!
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
by timbo on Apr 29, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
On opinions
It sounds like opinions are exactly the thing that’s preventing discussion. An opinion is an object, static and impervious to change. People also associate opinions with themselves and get terrified and defensive at the slightest contradiction. Opinions don’t stem from thought and reason, they stem from experience. An opinion becomes an argument when it’s supported through thought with reason. At that point it comes to life on on its own and detaches from the person because it’s not simply of the person. The main thing to remember is that an opinion does not require reason, rational, or thoughtfulness. Blue is good is an opinion.
The argument then is an assemblage of the knowledge and rules of validation of man. It involves what Charles Taylor calls “inter-subjective meaning.” It’s something we share as a culture. It’s how people that posted here for years know the rules better. It’s how we speak English. The most important part is that the argument is invested then with this meaning, and thus is something outside the person. Others can attack the argument without that discomfort that accompanies the attacking of an opinion.
A focus on opinion works to the detriment of what it seems like you’re after: discussion.
A discussion/discourse (discussion usually focuses on more trivial matters) happens when people throw out arguments and pit them against one another based on the reasoning of the participants. A discussion is a lively and dynamic thing. It’s a growing and evolving thing. It can change it’s nature and remain the same thing throughout. Many people can engage and in different way. It becomes a reflection of its participants.
Opinions prevent discussion.
The first thing one of my grad advisors said to me was, “If you ever give me your opinion, you’re out of the program. I’m only interested in your arguments.” He then proceeded to explain to me what I tried so shabbily to explain above.
Opinions are something the world should really try to live without. While it’s PC to say everyone’s entitled to their opinion, we generally don’t mean that.
Professional opinions are quite different. Still, they’re merely opinions.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Apr 29, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
You put it in an interesting way
Each opinion is like an endpoint. There’s nothing wrong with endpoints. In fact a Fanpost could have hundreds attached to it. It’s like a big ball with a bunch of nodes sticking out of it onto which can fit further argument branches or endpoints.
However when the discussion STARTS with an endpoint, there’s no place else to go. That’s why some of these short venting Fanposts aren’t the best, as there’s not much room to grow from them.
—Dave
That is probably the best way I have heard that explained (both of you hobobob and Dave)
I love having a discussion about the arguments that I have for these blazers which I adore watching. Opinions leave me and nobody else any room to debate or question…It turns into a “no he’s not, yes he is” screaming match.
I think you should have hobobo’s comment turned into the infomercial shown before a fonpost.
...things go well I might be showing my O face...O...O...O...you know what I'm talking about.
Very well said. Good visualization skills
Your ability to take complex and nuance ideas and explain them with visual analogies is extraordinary. That’s why you do so well with explaining basketball.
Without all the wordiness, that is basically what I was saying. The point of which, was to say that encouraging people to give an opinion is like encouraging a person to stop the discussion or discourse. Like when you’re at the doctor and he gives his opinion. All that’s left is to make sure you understand.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
So... Opinions > Reason or Reason > Opinions?
Interesting kunundrum…
This is a common thread to what drives a Reasonable blogger to turn to the Dark Side and post something negatively directed at another… or at least that is the case with me. I feel someone’s opinion’s are too irrational to reason with, and find myself sinking to their level… I should be ashamed of myself.
by Portland Dynasty on Apr 29, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Opinions simply don't follow reason
They’re based on a preference ordering (emotions) and experience. It’s not that one’s better than the other, it’s that stating an opinion mandates an examination of the person if the conversation is to continue. I say blue is good. The question, then, becomes why do I like blue? Not, is blue good? Most people are uncomfortable with this sort of examination because it’s usually an assault on the person (or it’s felt that way).
But, if the person utters a statement that’s merely an extrapolation of an observation (Roy plays well in Iso, should we play more Isos?), the question turns away from the person and to makes the subject comfortable for everyone. Basketball, rather than people, is the subject we’re here for. An opinion makes it about the poster.
So, for this site, reason>>>>>>>>>>>>>opinion.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Apr 30, 2009 6:21 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Can we at least have an exemption rule ....
… that allows us to call Canzano an idiot?
Afterall, he tries so hard to prove that point.
hakkaa päälle !
I tend to follow the If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say, Don’t Say Anything At All Rule when commenting. I don’t comment often but if I don’t agree with someone’s post or comment it’s pretty much always guaranteed someone else has already called them stupid or an idiot and a bunch of other people have already disagreed with actual reasons.
Or I just completely stop reading or ignore the comment or post if it will get me all riled up if I continue.
Dave calling out Prez, S4E, TOm, Morty, Ann, BlazerFan1, Philthy etc...
that’s sooo awesome! hahahaha
i’m so glad i’m a rookie and blinded by ignorance.
Go Blazers!!!!!!!!!! Wooooooooooot Wooooooooooooot!!!!!!!!!
I think most of the people you just mentioned
are among our consistently best posters who also take great care of the site and the community, which is likely why you know their names right off the top of your head.
—Dave
hahahah of course!
i have to agree they are the best posters but i know their names because they all have once threatened me if i didn’t bow to their greatness;) (esp Morty and Blazerfan1) total blogging gangsters.
i love ’em all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Blazers!!!!!!!!!! Wooooooooooot Wooooooooooooot!!!!!!!!!
lol i just said we shouldn't trade batum
which we shouldn’t! lol
<3
sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
AND then...
in person, you said we should trade him for T.Prince to Twiggs and Still.i.Rise.!!! i’m soo outing you right here:)
Go Blazers!!!!!!!!!! Wooooooooooot Wooooooooooooot!!!!!!!!!
LOL !!!
of course! I had to , comradon suggested that Batum was WAY BETTER than prince! I had to lay the smackdown :)
sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
hence you are a blogging gangsta!!!
comradon thought he smoooze you gals with Batum love and it backfired…that was soo funny
Go Blazers!!!!!!!!!! Wooooooooooot Wooooooooooooot!!!!!!!!!
I know
twiggs and sophia= blazersedge mafia princesses
:)
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
not to mention you two completely up the hotness level on the site!
If you didn’t, we’d still be well off cuz of Jorga, but with Roodie and broyposse we’d be in worse shape without ya
Blazers win!
watup X ... hahahah
you my friend must have twin siblings…you are EVERYWHERE
so now i know why you call yourself X-man. very nice.
Go Blazers!!!!!!!!!! Wooooooooooot Wooooooooooooot!!!!!!!!!
WOOT WOOTT
:)
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
thanks :)
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
I blame kgw
"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 29, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I have ony Fanposted once.....
Ironically it was about the negativity about when it started getting ….er…“out of hand” let’s say…I probably would not have posted at all, but part of what I love most about this site was the civility and intelligence of the discussion, and I felt it was taking a turn for the worse. My assumption was it was gonna be a long time before I had anything else unique to say that was markedly different from the fine writers that have some seniority here.
RoadBlazer
Posts about negativity
most often (elsewhere on the net) are met with ironic comments about being negative about negativity, which in turn are met with ironic comments about being negative about being negative about negativity. I hadn’t seen that kind of silliness here until the last couple days, and when I did it gave me pause.
Why is this Post addressed to just Experienced Bedgers?
The issue is clearly two-sided:
You are encouraging “old-timers” to respond appropriately, but the other side is the flood of repeated-topic, inane or poorly thought-out posts by newbies.
I think that a waiting period, like used on other blogs, would be very appropriate. Who would it really drive away? If someone is so cranked up to make a post they can’t wait for, then what is the loss it they don’t come back? It probably wasn’t worthy of a fanpost, anyway, and if they are a Blazer fan, it will be ok to wait.
It took me several sessions to figure out the difference between shots and posts, and I am glad I didn’t create a post the first time I was here. Like someone above said, everything I thought I needed to post has already been said better (and with actual links, graphs and statistics) than I would have. Of course, it took a little reading to figure it out.
Your original post should be addressed to All Bedgers, everyone benefits by reading this thread. Also, someone’s idea about a pop-up reminder at your very first Post is brilliant. Thanks for all your hard work, Dave.
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
for what it's worth, i dig ur posts and comments
Go Blazers!!!!!!!!!! Wooooooooooot Wooooooooooooot!!!!!!!!!
For what it's worth, it's scary to do anything that might potentially drive anyone away
I listen to the craziest of people just because you never know who’s going to say something really wise, whether they’re angry or happy. I’m a glutton for punishment, though.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I'm not worried so much about the people who must post now
it’s just that the internet is a twitch reaction driven medium by nature. If it takes more than five seconds to do something, you lose your audience.
Plus, I know for myself, if I have something insightful to say, and too much time passes, I lose interest in going through the motions of writing it out (mainly because writing naturally causes mild to severe pain for me, due to my scotopic dyslexia. Ironic I ended up as a writer, yeah…) So it’s not always about knee-jerk aneurysms. Sometimes concepts of merit are lost due to time.
DailyKos model
DailyKos is in many respects the parent to this blog format and network. The way they do things, is that there is no restriction on fanposts (“diaries”), but it’s just expected that they will go by so fast that most people will only read the ones that make the recommended section, and that’s okay.
That way, everyone is a sort of moderator for fanposts, since you can read the new ones any time you want and choose to recommend or not. Or you can be lazy and just read the ones that are already recommended.
They also have “Open Threads” which are posts in the main section on the main page a couple times a day, where people are allowed to post comments about anything (like the junk drawer, but official and on the main page).
DailyKos has quite a lot more traffic than even BlazersEdge, and uses an almost identical format, so there must be something to learn there. (Oh and please don’t take this opportunity to start talking about politics—this is just about blog formats.)
Is BEdge liberal enough to follow that format?
Yes, many BEdgers reside in the city of roses and there is a militant feminist group here… but Dave lives in Idaho, northern portion for that matter, and we try not to get political here. Daily Kos is quite left wing.
Did you just imply Dave is a skinhead?
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 29, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
LOL
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 29, 2009 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Pretty much my most recent fanpost doesn't meet the criteria.
But in these stressful playoff times, we all need a little comic relief! (Although I suppose some of the questions could merit some interesting discussion.)
Irony makes a point. Humor is something to be shared.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I feel so ashamed...
I knew a L*ker troll would be my undoing. I pledge to keep it tasteful from now on, no matter how many L*ker fans test my patience. It’s hard when you’re a mean kid by nature not to just break out the insults. For the good of BEdge, I will keeps it real…or something like that.
Don't believe the hype.
Amazing
How you do this, Dave, amazes me.
by Bandwagon Fan since 1972 on Apr 29, 2009 3:45 PM PDT reply actions
I only joined this site at the start of this season.
So I guess I can’t call myself an old-timer. But I’ve been here too long to be considered a newbie!
I’m lost in my own undefinable group!!!!! I have no idea how to process this post!!!!
Seriously, I like the ideas you’re putting forth. And a good refresher on blog common sense (don’t feed the trolls, read comments before posting, keep things appropriate for everyone) is always a welcome thing.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
we're tweeners
i classified us above brosky. You really should read all the comments [wagging finger, tisk tisk]
"The refs have caused a bird-pig flu pandemic"
handsome people
"The refs have caused a bird-pig flu pandemic"
by appel82 on Apr 29, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
A Couple of Thoughts
If you are going to engage a moderator you may want to restrict the posting of fanposts to moderators. Have all new posts created as fanshots and if the moderators approve they can promote them to fanposts. This gives you a way to monitor what is getting posted to the most prominent space on the site. It also gives people the ability to view all posts without the bests posts if they choose.
A second thought is for the daily junk posts. A new feature over at McCovey Chronicles is the left sidebar posts for the Minor Lines. These are posted everyday and were always recommended so the regular posts would drop off the recommended list quickly. They removed these as fanposts and put them on the left sidebar. It has worked out well.
Psh you guys all suck and have the stupidest, poopiest, worst opinions I have ever heard in my life.
Even Steve Blake who is the WORST POINT GUARD IN THE WORLD plays better than this fanpost turned out!!!! Why do I even waste my time reading what this n00b Dave has to say??
But seriously, good post Dave, as usual. Blazersedge is the king blog and should remain that way. Power in numbers. And we only get numbers through nice people.
Can I get a headband? One for my peeps, one for the fans in the really cheap seats, one for my momma, one for the mayor, and if you wanna get down with the players, YOU GOTTA GET A HEADBAND!
by peseme16 on Apr 29, 2009 3:59 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
i felt myself thoroughly chastened when i lost my temper here once a long time ago
and the experience shut me up for a while, but eventually i returned
but i’m not sure whether the statement “I’ve never viewed numbers as the measuring stick for this site’s success” is entirely true or not. nor am i sure that in going for the lowest common denominator at times is better than cultivated somewhat of an aristocracy
the numbers give the site power, and the access or exposure given is a result of that power.
it’s funny, because i’ve by now known three different people who have become somewhat powerful or well-known because of their blogs (not counting Dave, though i’ve been here since the start) and in each case the blog has changed because of popularity…….also because of the “cult of personality” which becomes focussed on the blogger.
the danger, of course, is vanity.
in two political/world affairs blogs, i think at this point the now-famous bloggers have been overcome and yielded to vanity. in the other case, a literary/arts blog, the blogger has remained humble despite being more or less worshipped…..
the difference might lie in the answer to the question: Where does the blog go? What does it lead to (in terms of worldly success)?
because the blog itself more like a newspaper than a book in terms of being disposable and quickly outdated. the blog may lead to writing opportunities……or else a cult of personality centered on the star blogger, so that this person may appear on radio or TV, so that the voice of the blog becomes “seen” and “heard”….
please understand, i’m not really talking about Dave here……as i have no idea what ambitions he may have for himself. i come from the world of literature (as i’ve published a few novels) and print journalism (i’ve written for the L.A. Times, Washington Post, other papers).
the Lookout Landing blog (dealing with baseball and the Seattle Mariners) seems to desire a fairly closed community. they don’t necessarily discourage newcomers per se but they certainly jump all over or ban commenters who jump in with “stupid” comments or who attack the site’s sacred cows.
they have thousands of comments if there’s a close game. there are a lot of in-jokes and a lot of profanity. but they don’t allow, for instance, the kind of mean-spirited, ugly comments you may see after single game, win or lose, at OregonLive.
Lookout Landing is always moderated. if someone new dropped in there and said the equivalent of “trade Greg Oden” they would just be deleted and probably in short order banned. because they have enough people. that kind of inflammatory controversy is not interesting to them.
i think i agree with that. sorry Dave.
“I’ve never viewed numbers as the measuring stick for this site’s success.”
i’m not sure whether or not that statement is sincere. you wouldn’t be on the radio if the site was less popular. i’m aware that you are trying to strike a balance, and that it may be difficult.
i want you around. i still tend to agree with you on most things about the Blazers. it’s not my area of expertise, although i played an enormous amount of basketball when young. but i was never a coach. i was once friends with a portland sportswriter who covered the Blazers (who has published two basketball-related books).
i’m not a fan to the extent some here are, although i watch nearly every game.
power in big numbers? i’m not so sure that’s entirely to my taste.
ignacio
What he's done so far indicates a strong desire
to increase the numbers of quality comments and discussions. Most of his actions along these lines, the rules of the site are designed with this in mind. I’m one of the most cynical people alive, but I can’t hardly suspect Dave of vanity.
Incidentally, vanity should be considered a virtue. Adonis was a metaphor for self-examination. Why should the inside be any more valuable than the outside? One’s a creation of social forces (or the will of the person if you’re disposed to believe so), the other is a work of nature and some very complex events (or the work of God).
Hubris is a sin, though, even if one doesn’t believe in God. It can never be a good thing.
By the way, that post was the best writing with bad capitalization. Awesome.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
This would normally lead to a very interesting conversation
that I will refrain from starting, due to recent discussions on outer beauty. :)
I'm kind of afraid of the topic too. What's that say about us as a community?
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
pride vs vanity -- they're not the same
also: “Hubris is a sin, though, even if one doesn’t believe in God. It can never be a good thing.”
I take it by this you stand by the gods against Prometheus.
ignacio
Actually, no.
I stand by nothing. It’s the only way to be sure I’m never right, which is the worst of all sins.
I was trying to establish vanity as a virtue rather than as a path to …. whatever bad place there is. Vanity can be a process of reflection, so dear to so many philosophies, and not the self-absorption it is supposed to be. Pride and the ambition for it leads to the sort of thing you seemed to be concerned about.
It’s just an esoteric position, and I’d have to say that by now the language has gone beyond the allegory of Adonis. The word vanity has a new meaning. I’m just being nostalgic for something I never experienced.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Perhaps you've been exposed to too much Michel Foucault.
One should bear in mind that he had his own will-to-power motivation, which was to one-up Sartre.
“I stand by nothing. It’s the only way to be sure I’m never right, which is the worst of all sins.”
But by this you never risk error. Sextus Empiricus, who advocated remaining in a state of “mental suspense” for as long as possible, meant “as long as possible” to serve as a prelude to a decision, then action, not an excuse for paralysis.
If taking action means conversion of the world into a binary of data, =/-, yes/no, sobeit. Such is life.
ignacio
binary stream of data
(sorry folks here I’ll stop now.)
(my brain is stuck on alpha waves from excessive volume from good headphones)
ignacio
Well, yes, too much Foucault, but no it's to ensure there's always error
It’s a strategic position based on the assumption that “right” is an impossibility. If one concludes that one’s right, it’s the end of the story. There’s nothing left to think about. Nothing left to do but push buttons based on a pattern already perceived/conceived. We kill the meaning of life. We’re back to nothingness (and Sartre).
But, if I assume there’s no right, I can endlessly hone a position and have something to do worth doing. In that case, nothingness becomes just nothingness and isn’t profound in anyway. Being right is murder!
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Wasn't Satre that said
“Au Revoir….gop-her”
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Apr 29, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not sure
I don’t recognize the quote. Its sounds like there’s something funny there, though.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Plus, everything I read of his was translated
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Here you go
at exactly the 5min mark
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Apr 29, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Classic. I should've caught that.
and it serves us right for bringing him up here. HE MEANS NOTHING!
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I employed that strategy as a martial arts instructor
After seeing too many instructors build their authority based on an air of invincibility, I decided that was too stressful and ultimately doomed to failure, when all it takes is one person to be good enough to slip your block one single time, and everyone loses faith. Instead, I used a fast and loose style, and praised students if they got a good shot in, showing them that getting hit is all part of the game.
I hadn’t thought of it in terms of positional philosophy until reading this though.
I think this is a good microcosm of the many arguments between people of science and faith as well (the latter being based on the idea that a position must by nature be perfect to be viable)
Sports and motions in general gave me that idea, in fact.
That’s a wise method for teaching martial arts.
I think science as a discipline does a poor job of thinking it’s right. Too often, they operate with certainty. But, really the spectrum of people calling themselves scientists varies as much as an religious tradition. There’re certainly religious folks that certainty appeals to, but the most fundamental component of Christianity (which happens to be the most prevalent around these parts) is faith. Faith renders the person into a world of the unknowable. Theologians do very well with gray concepts. Much better than do scientists.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I had an Akido Sensi once
Who I connected with to the point where she could use me for demonstrations"watch how far I can throw this large man across the room",make sure I didnt get hurt and I would have to return the throw and make sure I took care of her because good parteners are hard to come by and they are giving you the use of their body to work out with so you want to make sure they dont get hurt
by southern oregon on Apr 29, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I never intentionally attack anyone...
and yet I always worry that my comments come across in such a way as to seem domineering which isn’t my intention at all. I come across posts like this and I sit here going over my comments in my mind, “Was I too matter of fact here? Could that have seemed condescending there?” I get myself worried over stuff like this more often than not.
Because of the quality of the people here and the overall intelligence of the membership, more often than not I simply hold my tongue.
“It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” – Proverbs
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
If someone that doesn't have a habit of calling others condescending or domineering
calls you that, then you may want to adjust your tone. There’s nothing wrong with authoritative writing. In fact, I prefer it.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
True
but now I’ll have to wonder if they’re just yanking my chain to get me worried too! lol
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
LOL, well that's the insecurity that makes life fun.
Just assume they’re teasing if it would make you unhappy to think otherwise.
For what it’s worth, I can’t remember you coming anywhere near condescending.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Great post, Dave
It may sound stupid, but I think we all should take a mini-exam every month to remember the site rules.
I always try to be polite, but sometimes I lose my nerve…
Getting answers like: “You’re so wrong I don’t know where to start” doesn’t encourage discussion.
On the sidebar… I think it’s just the playoffs, it’s madness, but it wasn’t like that a week before the playoffs, and probably it won’t last after the season ends.
Keep up the great work you’re doing, I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to write and behave better over here when I read this kind of posts :)
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
I really have to bite my tongue on the off-season when all the trade talk starts.
That’s the worst time of the year for me and remaining calm to be perfectly honest.
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
Summary
of my thoughts after reading (ok, skimming) all of the above comments…
1. As part of SBN, BE is limited by their (its?) choice of formats. Individual blog redesign is limited. Whether or not SBN is the best place for BE would be an interesting piece of research.
2. I strongly believe that Dave is not interested in readership numbers. He is interested in thoughtful discussion of the Blazers and is probably more dismayed than most of us by the proliferation of posts and comments that do nothing to further the discussion. If I remember correctly he began blogging to include more people in the discussions he was having with friends, not because he wanted to promote his views, writing skills, or get a leg up on a new career.
3. I’m trying to rec more comments (I rec’d a hobobob post above) instead of commenting “I agree with you.” I don’t care if you know my opinion or not so I don’t make the added comment just to see my name “in print” . I am amused by others rec’ing after me though – in fact more than once I’ve made the first or second rec to one that later turns green. (Validating what was said above about people more likely to rec a comment that already has one.)
And now there have been so many new comments that I have to go back and read those and hope mine aren’t duplicating those (since it takes me a looong time to compose some of my comments.)
" I think Roy hit, like, 2,395 game-winners this season. He's every bit the clutch franchise player that the elite of the elite are." - Vincent Thomas, nba.com
by jorga on Apr 29, 2009 4:41 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
You rec me, I rec you!
Very nice summary. There’s quite a few intricate points above. 2. is a very good point. Dave is beyond reproach.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Hardly beyond reproach
but not the kind of guy who could do something this intensive that I didn’t enjoy just to get recognized or paid or whatever. I enjoy conversation and debate. I don’t enjoy self-indulgence, hubris, or eye-roll-inducing bickering. The side needs to stay with the former, not with the latter, and a few hundred (or a few thousand) extra people wouldn’t change that a bit. The day I start measuring what I do by numbers or trying to please everybody is the day I go astray.
In any case, I doubt I have to worry, as the vast majority of people seem to enjoy conversation and debate.
—Dave
I've never gotten that notion from you
The cult of personality accusation is a pretty prevalent one against community admins. But you’ve always struck me as someone who sincerely cares about the community (and the quality thereof, through interaction and discussion).
I do what I can
I’d be lying if I said the attention wasn’t cool. And doors have obviously been opened because I do this. But the only way it works (in my experience anyway) is if you forget about the attention and doors and hits and numbers and just do your thing the best that you can every day. As soon as you write or converse or moderate to start opening doors and get attention you lose integrity and your stuff becomes cheap and not much worth the read. In essence your writing becomes all about you—or at least about getting you something. I don’t believe people come here to read about Dave. They come here to read about the Blazers.
—Dave
by Dave on Apr 29, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is not really something to be publicly aired.
It’s just something to think about about. I know that vanity is something I have to constantly watch out for. So what I meant to communicate (in the course of a ramble written in between medicated naps) is nothing more than the warning that having a popular blog can have possibly unforeseen effects.
Actually, I’ve seen it happen one other time. It makes me seem like a jerk that I won’t name names, but if i named them I would be worse.
I don’t see signs of this in you or anything like that . There’s just a lot of free-floating worship available out there in the blogosphere. I have in my own life had “fans,” and I don’t think that was or is good for me.
It just invites one to think about oneself unselfcritically. Henceforward, personal growth may take a different route.
ignacio
I bet you think this song is about you
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
James Taylor?
"Out here on the road, when its just our small travelling party against the world, it's tough ..." MB
Now that is what I call a softball
The day I start measuring what I do by numbers or trying to please everybody is the day I go astray.
Zoinks!
Well, in this respect, I think you are beyond reproach. There's zero evidence
to suggest otherwise. Voicing the concern that other bloggers trend in a certain way may help, but I can’t see it being necessary. I think being a pastor ensures the kind of thoughtfulness necessary to shepherd a community without getting drunk on power (or your own emotions as the saying now goes).
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I've reproached Dave before. Absolutely nobody in the world is beyond reproach, including me or you.
I think being a pastor ensures the kind of thoughtfulness necessary to shepherd a community without getting drunk on power (or your own emotions as the saying now goes).
There are plenty of examples in recent history of religious officials who have gone off the deep end in the “cult of personality” department. I’m sure you can think of a few… I don’t think Dave’s occupation is either a positive or a negative factor in this regard.
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
Done well it's a plus.
Immediately after posting, I thought about your point. It’s valid. That said, the majority of pastors I know care more about their community than themselves and their aggrandizement. If they’re of this ilk, it’s a tremendous plus.
There’s a point at which we can call someone beyond reproach for certain things. There should also be a trigger for reproach. That trigger should also serve as the threshold. If someone has cause to reproach another, that’s exactly when someone is no longer beyond reproach. It’s convenient and accords with the concepts fairly well.
Have you any reason to reproach Dave in this case? I don’t and can’t think of any.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
I think it's a positive for Dave and his personality type
where for others it might be the opposite.
I've probably recced more of your comments than anyone else here
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
How about a good dose of Elitist motivation..
say a game day thread… that only members with say…..500 recs can log into…. motivation to write better stuff.
That kind of thing in a medium like this will only end in tragedy, I fear.
People get riled up that they can’t say naughty words. Imagine if you made an entire section they couldn’t comment in unless they were “cool” enough. Let the conspiracy theories roll!
Probably true....
But I do love a good conspiracy theory…..
I made being cool, cool again.
Don't believe the hype.
by Artie Fufkin on Apr 29, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I have an idea, but it would require help from SBN.
Anyone who fanposts would be the moderator of his fanpost.
Each fanposter would have to abide by the site rules, of course, but then he could add his own.
Everyone could read anyone else’s fanpost, but the fanposter could limit comments to certain BEdgers only. To comment, you’d have to be on an invitation list the fanposter would create for that fanpost. If you are not on the list, you could still submit your comment to the fanposter and hope he deems it worthy enough to be included. If he likes your style, he could add you to his lists for future fanposts he creates. If not, he could keep you from cluttering his fanposts with unwanted opinions, bon mots, and silly images. (Am I cutting my own throat here…?)
The PREVIEW and POST buttons on the POST A COMMENT box for a fanpost would be grayed-out (disabled) for anyone, such as me, or a newbie, who wants to comment and does not have an invitation. The box would include a CLICK HERE TO COMMENT link that would direct the newbie to the Welcome Guide, which would explain the above format. Newbies could create their own fanposts too, of course. If they don’t know who to invite, they could create Open House fanposts where anyone could comment and participate.
The above capabilities would encourage a high quality of comments, discourage trolls, and give BEdgers a smaller, more manageable forum to enjoy, like hosting a party or discussion group for 50 of your closest friends instead of 500 acquaintances. Fanposts might stay up longer as commenters work their way through the main topic and new sub-threads evolve.
New fanposts would still appear in the sidebar and move down the list as newer ones appear, but you could also access them by going to the fanposter’s profile page. The fanposter would create, moderate, and maintain his fanposts on his profile page, and even if it dropped off the sidebar, you could go to his profile page and get in on the fun in his current or more recent fanpost.
Myabe the fanposter could even specify his own rec settings.
When activity ceases in a fanpost, the fanposter could then lock it down and put it into the archive for fanposterity. The site would do this automatically if a fanpost registered no activity for seven days.
It would be helpful if the site software could limit fanposters to no more than one fanpost per week, as Dave requested last year.
I'm guilty
sorry dave…i usually show patience towards the new posters unless its a knee jerk reaction post. for some reason i just can’t stand those and i feel the need to speak out.
I got 6 years of playoff blue balls going on, and I'm ready to release. GO BLAZERS. ~Mortimer
Grease monkey scripts
didn’t someone write some greasemonkey scripts for sbn awhile back? i had them on my old laptop so that i could ignore people, but i dont have them on my new one. maybe we could implement new features using greasemonkey as well.
I got 6 years of playoff blue balls going on, and I'm ready to release. GO BLAZERS. ~Mortimer
I think Timmay had something like that
you might hit him up the next time you see him on here
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Apr 29, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Here I am
I’ll go track down the fanpost. It’s an ignore script that works inside firefox. brb. -Tim
Tanks Brudda
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Apr 29, 2009 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I dunno ...
Dave I believe, started his original blog “Blazer Thoughts” because he was looking for increased dialogue regarding all things Blazers to involve more like fans than what he was experiencing in his somewhat tight private internet network. From reading Dave’s early postings, that is how I perceived his aspirations (being aware of his far above average writing abilities, I’m guessing he also envisioned it as a platform in which to showcase that talent).
But things change. Casey leaves a somewhat floundering Blazer Edge blog and hands the keys to Dave. Dave’s abilities and time dedication causes it to explode! It was wonderful for awhile — bringing to the site much thoughtful discussion involving both hard core fans and a good number pretty darn brilliant people. Very, very enjoyable. Most of the time I read every single post and comment.
However, this explosion has become a nuclear blast. It is out of control. I can’t even begin to read everything that is posted. It was never a closed group site which I appreciated, but now the noise created by a thousand new posters has made it extremely difficult to sort out what is interesting or important.
I really do think Dave is going on the “more is better” principal. That could be why he is admonishing (my interpretation) the longer tenured Edgers to clean up their opinionated acts more fervently than he is coming down on the low quality posts of the some of the newcomers. Hey, Dave is human. To continue adding to the huge numbers of Bedgers is certainly a feather in his cap and as Dave stated above, it has opened doors.
Does Dave have an agenda here? I wouldn’t blame him in the least if he does. He is damn good at what he does, and for the tremendous time and talent he has put into this site, he deserves any and all positive things coming his way.
For at least a few of we long term Blazer and Bedge fans though, the unmanageable number of postings and comments we see today, is drastically altering the Bedge experience. More – although it will mark success to a point – is NOT necessarily better. And I think it rarely has been.
I suppose my point is, that the recent success of the Blazers and Dave’s terrific work as a blog master has forever altered this Blazer blog landscape.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
i think perhaps u should start your own blog
where you can moderate who comments and who does not..
sophia
Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare
Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow
I don't think that was the gist of TwoDeep's comment.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
Sophia doesn't care what the gist is
she’s just looking to deliver a smack down… innocent bystanders does not even matter.
Oh if I only had the smarts and talent .....
Running a blog is totally out of my league. Most of the time, I struggle to express myself.
But yah, if someone was starting up a slightly more intimate blog such as what Blazer Thoughts and Blazer’s Edge were before Oden was drafted and the team started winning, well that is what I’d like to log into on a daily basis.
But Sophia, I am not promoting the censorship that moderating involves. Although I think it unfortunate, just as there is need of more government control as the population increases, I suppose today’s BE too needs some action to keep it in check (although I can’t imagine any forthcoming technical changes doing as much to improve the Bedge experience as say, losing in the first round could)..
Despite what you may have been told, bigger is not always better.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
does size matter? is bigger better?
that’s an age-old question humans have been trying to figure out since ancient Chinese civilizations..
Sophia, lock your doors and secure your windows. Get a can of pepper spray.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
Pepper spray has no effect on zombies
"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 29, 2009 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions
That's August 2006, so you know how old the current incarnation of the Bedge is...
I forgot about all the spam links for pornography in the comments section on Dave’s old site. See, he was too nice a guy to use a sledgehammer on his posters even then, ha ha!
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
the noise created by a thousand new posters has made it extremely difficult to sort out what is interesting or important.
just remember, whatever I say is extremely important and must be read at all costs
I'm not sure what you're infering cloudydays.
If I thought what I wrote here was so important I suppose I would have done a fan post as opposed to to tacking it onto a long thread. For as long as I’ve been on this site, I’ve done quite a small number of fan posts.
Cloudy day – back in ancient times when CB radios were big, my handle was Rainy Day. One of my young daughters was Cloudy Day, my youngest daughter was Little Mist, I assigned Stormy Weather to my ex-wife, and I can’t remember what my other kids were called, but they were weather related too. I chose Rainy Day because it is the rain that makes the Pacific Northwest so beautiful. Wondering how you arrived at your signature?
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
you wouldn't believe me if i told you
my mom made this nickname up on the OLive forums so she could talk about high school sports.
I used it to post on the Blazer Forum and the nickname kinda stuck.
I think Dave definitely has an agenda.
However, that agenda isn’t for personal glory; it’s to build Blazer’s Edge into the greatest Blazer fan community online.
PUT BATUM IN NOW: Rallying cry of the BBIQ appreciation club
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
by rockingharder on Apr 29, 2009 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions
I believe that agenda has already been achieved
for quite a while.
"I saw him in the face" Sergio's quote on the latest alley-oop to Rudy.
by blazermaniac32 on Apr 30, 2009 7:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Everyone has an agenda
Even if it’s simply to survive. The search for agenda free leadership is not unlike the search for perfection. It simply does not exist, nor should it, IMO. Agenda is part of what makes us sentient.
the search for perfection is the perfect search
I am no longer able to participate in this discussion due to a moderators request...
by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on Apr 30, 2009 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Waiting period for new users
I don’t see any reason not to implement a waiting period for new users. With just a flip of switch, half of all the needless fanposts and trolls will be eliminated. No moderators necessary. Its already built into the SBnation system. The internet is a zoo, sometimes you got to put up some moats.
Life is not by chance. Basketball is life.
You want to make sure you put the moat outside the castle
I learned that from Gary Larson
by southern oregon on Apr 29, 2009 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions
This is a good point...
I don’t see any reason not to implement a waiting period for new users. With just a flip of switch, half of all the needless fanposts and trolls will be eliminated. No moderators necessary.
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
I would like to add one thing about the Mod discution
They should consistently demonstrate their ability to persistently assist in the evolution of cutting BEdge thought. Their ability to do this, allows them the ability to see this and discern the difficult, and not cull the missing link. Often times, the minority or unpopular strain of thought is the closest truth, or the next step. Genius, or even progressive thought is often met with resistance, or dismissed out right as radical or heresy. Alfred was thought to be a bumbling idiot by lesser minds.
The thoughtful discourse and etiquette were certainly attractive to me. The lowest common denominator never has been.
"Now I'm done"
I don't think you have to worry about moderators much
We’re going to employ that process carefully and make sure we have great people with great boundaries. Theoretically you won’t see much change in terms of the types of posts/comments kept or deleted. We NEVER delete stuff because people disagree with it or it’s an unpopular view. Notice that the problem I had with the Greg Oden trade post was not the Greg Oden trade part, but people responding with attacks. That post still stands. Those replies don’t.
You have to violate site rules (which do include stipulations about flame wars and appropriate use of the sidebar) in order to get your work deleted. You have to be pretty flagrant and/or persistent to get banned. All the moderators will mean is that things get taken care of quicker, not so much that they’ll be taken care of differently.
People have speculated on potential moderators. We have some folks in mind. I do read the suggestions but it’s unlikely we’ll put it up to a vote. In fact we might purposely not ask some of the most obvious, frequent, and popular posters on the site. That’s no insult to them. I’m sure they’d be great. But it’s hard to be a good moderator and a lead comment-maker at the same time. It gets into a dual role. People will start getting itchy if the same people who delete their comments also go on to have the most prominent comments in the thread. Accusations will fly. A little of that is inevitable, but we want to leave most of the obvious personalities at the site to be personalities, not moderators.
It’s somewhat the same as having Nate McMillan as the coach of the Blazers instead of Gary Payton. Payton was by far the superior player and the star of the team. Nate probably has the gifts to be a better coach.
—Dave
Thank you for the thoughtful reply,
I’m comforted.
I do like how you allow much leeway to acclimatize the new. I’ve enjoyed your sight for some time, as you may know. Thank you for the thoughtful response. I apologize for my post loss, Blake focussed hysteria. My ideals far outshine my practice.
"Now I'm done"
by Screen Name on Apr 30, 2009 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Roy Hibbert tap-dances to Maine
- Grizzlies Valentine’s Day cards are the key to love
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
