yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Off-topic] KidCarter93:
I couldn't agree more with a lot of the points being raised here. Even though I haven't been a regular in this forum for a while now, the issue which this thread refers to was an issue then and probably ever since the Off-Topic forum was even created. As I haven't been around here recently, I can't really say whether this issue has gotten worse recently (although I guess it must've done to require a thread such as this to be needed) but, as we're all aware, most of the time it hasn't really been a bad thing and has simply been a bit of harmless trolling.

The point ShadowLea made above about people not reading the rules is, again, something we're all more than aware of and blindingly obvious that it's the main reason why any ideas such as this, however good they look "on paper", will only do so much. The only true solution, that I can think of, would be changes to the actual sign up process.

I haven't really got the ideas on such changes or even if they'd be made but I see it as the only way to stop such problems from manifesting like they have.
[Off-topic] dexter93:
All of the points raised here are fair and I agree with most of them. Due to recent events, I've written a post regarding the situation here

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=42527183 . Take a look if you'd like
[Off-topic] Prawesome:
One line in that post really stands out.

"If they don't give the trolls a reason to troll, they won't"

I will say this, most people who come here and then get offended invite trouble by making useless threads. I am not saying that newcomers shouldn't come to OT or anything. I am saying that newcomers should have a read through and look for threads without just blatantly making another stupid thread(this place is full of stupid threads now anyway, bar few). If they go on and make stupid threads like that, then they kinda deserve the pony/spiderman memes they get.

I have seen people come to OT and then create 4-5 threads, all random and useless. These people deserve it for their carelessness/stupidity tbh

Just my 2 cents..
[Off-topic] Seraz007:
+1

I agree :good::highfive:

some are just too lazy or just dont get it
[Off-topic] Dirk:
All very well said and i couldn't agree with you more. I'd really like to say more but i feel it would be a waste of time.
[Off-topic] K.A.:
Wow.. I didn't know saying "GTFO n00b" was against the damn rules themselves. So now I can get infracted for that? Simply... :good::applause:
[Off-topic] Archer:
Yes, newcomers that don't look for threads and start duplicate ones are annoying, but two wrongs do not make a right. In this case it is not acceptable to start posting crap just to look funny. They don't "deserve" that response. The worst response they should get is a mature forum member thinking "this again?" and clicking the report button.
[Off-topic] Sleepy!:
This thread shows how mainstream XDA has become...

Even Off Topic is now PG-13.

I for one am of the opinion that new members have no place on OT until they've actually fulfilled the purpose of being an XDA member... Which is participating in a phone/development related discussion.

Please make OT a walled garden like your RC forums. You'll see a lot of improvement in post quality once this is implemented.

Oh, and by the way, INB4 the inevitable lock. :p
[Off-topic] cascabel:
nothing against new members, but i have to agree with [MENTION=2764168]Sleepy![/MENTION]. i understand it's not against the rules and that this is a public forum, but wouldn't letting members with less than ten posts post all they want in ot defeat the purpose of letting them get acquainted with xda as a developer's website? just a thought.

also, i have to agree with the trolling in ot getting out of hand sometimes.

Just because i don't doesn't mean i can't.
[Off-topic] Prawesome:
"Xda rather have 10 posters spam in OT than in the development forums"

This is a trash can mate :)
[Off-topic] cascabel:
that's one way of putting it. :) but yeah, you're right. i just think that if they're required to help out in the...shall i say... "proper" forums they'd at least be more familiar with their phones and xda in general. was just an opinion.

Just because i don't doesn't mean i can't.
[Off-topic] K.A.:
Oh no, you should read the OP. Posting "GTFO NOOB" or "IB4L" or trolling someone in OT is against the RULES OF XDA. Yeah, we have new rules now. :)

---------- Post added at 08:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:15 PM ----------

:) :) :o
[Off-topic] Archer:
It's actually the same rules we've had all along. It's never been within the rules to flame other users or make personal attacks, and we always expect members to be courteous to one another :)
[Off-topic] undercover:
Which raises a question. So wtf is all the fuss about? Nothing changed really. Only that some sissies started joining xda and are getting offended by trolling in ot which has always been there anyways.
[Off-topic] Sleepy!:
It's just that now, some of those sissies are in a position where they can make their opinions heard.

And the administration for some reason is bending over backwards to please them.

I'm not saying this with reference to just this thread, but with reference to the whole situation all over XDA.
[Off-topic] Prawesome:
Amen
[Off-topic] K.A.:
As was mentioned here, gtfo noob is usually the last resort when someone just refuses to leave..noone gets that the first time. IB4L is not in any way flaming and usually if a sensible/regular member of OT posts a "ib4l" he/she must have also reported the post. Also, regarding trolling in new threads...this is OT.. you surely cant expect that someone gets a red carpet welcome to trolls' land.

Also, +1 to both quoted posts.

Sent from my N4 using T4.
[Off-topic] Archer:
I think this is getting blown out of proportion. This isn't anything that's causing a fuss - we're just reiterating the rules and saying that they're going to be adhered to a little more in OT than they have been. The reason for that is explained in the first post. And this has nothing to do with any situation anywhere else on xda, or it would be an announcement in other forums as well. The level of trolling in this forum is too damn high. We're just pointing that fact out and asking that it stops. Honestly, the only people that should be even vaguely concerned about this are the people that are doing the trolling. This forum has many, many regular visitors that this simply does not apply to and they're the ones make this the great place that it is.
[Off-topic] K.A.:
Though for an off topic section, the strictness is too damn high. I've been here only one year and you've been a moderator here for more than that, so I won't argue with you, but the time I joined, this place was truly enjoyable. Now, the number of useless threads has increased drastically and that is what has lead to the increase in trolling. If these threads would not have been allowed to be created in the first place, the trolling would not have increased. Why not keep <10 posters to only posting in OT and not allow them to create a new thread here? Reduce the crap, trolling reduces too. :)
[Off-topic] undercover:
Ermmmm, reiterating the rules? I'll give you an example. Yesterday, few mods posted in the frat, which is not the problem at all. I bet there were few more watching it. We shared few jokes about them and moved on to what we normally do there, friendly trolling of each other. I make a massive post of emoticons that crashes Tapatalk for people reading it (guys that frequent said thread), for lulz. They get the lulz and it'll be over as soon as page rolls over. Result? I'm banned for 6h for spamming forums with no warning or explanation.

That was a wtf moment. So I have a record of a ban for nothing now. Next time I inadvertently do something against the rules (if it happens) someone who doesn't know me will see previous history and will just ban me again without thinking much about it.

Mods that visit ot ever so often know what's going on here, and somehow never had problems with it. All of the sudden things change but explanation is that nothing has changed. Do you understand why people are annoyed and don't understand what's going on? It's quite a proportional response.

Either change the rules, get rid of ot or just let it be and let the fine mods like yourself, M_T_M and others do what they've been doing rather well for a long time.
[Off-topic] K.A.:
Well, hang around long enough and soon you'll start getting banned for trolling here in off topic. Especially with the attitude some moderators around here carry with them. They say it's a public forum but they don't want to listen to the public.
[Off-topic] Prawesome:
Damn right..

Mods who are non-OT regulars will unknowingly destroy this place. Everyone who frequents the frat know about the misunderstanding that took place there 2 days ago. OT-regular mods can catch the drift but the other mods are not like that. It was just a simple joke and it became a huge issue. I am not blaming anyone in here or anything for that matter but I am just trying to make my point here..
[Off-topic] mark manning:
Have fun with your friends and start out with courtesy to newcomers. Once they understand that if you joke around with them it is only a joke, then have your fun with them. If you guys were able to see the countless PMs we get from people that feel utterly bashed, put down, and ran out of off topic you would understand more. The only way the fun will end is if you choose it to. With anything in life there is a right way and a wrong way to do things.

Not picking on you mate just wanted to address your points. This isn't the place to discuss where someone with less then 10 posts can post. If you want to have that discussion start a topic in the about-xda forum

We are not going to talk about any decisions made by a moderator. If you think you have an issue with one of them PM the Moderator Committee account or anyone of the MC members. People are annoyed because they feel OT is separate from the rest of the forum which it is not.

Right there is what the issue is. No one needs to leave anywhere. If you want a private place away from people like that create a private invite only social club. Otherwise people can post in your thread if the so choose to.

Same answer for the post avove... This isn't the place to discuss where someone with less then 10 posts can post. If you want to have that discussion start a topic in the about-xda forum

Well said, but trolling is against the riles. Rule 2.3 to be exact

2.3 Flaming / Lack of respect: XDA is about sharing which does not involve virtual yelling (flaming) or rudeness. Flaming or posting with a lack of respect is not acceptable. Treat new members the way you would like to have been treated when you were a new member. When dealing with any member, provide them with guidance, advice and instruction when you can, showing respect and courtesy. Never post in a demanding, argumentative, disrespectful or self-righteous manner.

I dare you to post the things people post in a duplicate OT thread in other forums on Xda. If someone did the would be punished and they would know they deserved it as things like that are not allowed. Xda isn't two sites, there is not Xda then Xda OT. This is one site with one set of rules. When a member doesn't search and creates a pointless thread report it and as with any other forum on here the mods will deal with it appropriately.
[Off-topic] jRi0T68:
Simple question with no judgement:

Will the moderator staff also be held accountable to the "no trolling" standard, or is it like how cops can drive how they want, cause an accident (on duty or off) and never be at fault? We've all seen mods troll with their closing or Spiderman pics, etc.

-No longer accidental, just Jeremy. F.cfb

[Guide] Headphone/Earphone Buying
[Off-topic] Archer:
The rules are fine. There has simply been a request from this forum's mod team that they be respected more than we've seen of late, and example threads were given. Also, I appreciate you saying that we've been doing rather well at what we do - it really is genuinely nice to hear feedback (as long as it's positive :p).

We just want to cater for as many people as possible, and I personally don't see why a member that's never been to OT before should get a ton of spiderman memes posted when they're asking what kind of dog they should get (an imaginary thread - I might make it later).

I'll say again what I said above - only the people that are going to go against the requests in the OP should be concerned about this. For everyone else it's just a notice.
[Off-topic] mark manning:
Thanks you Dex, well said
[Off-topic] K.A.:
I was not exactly welcomed nicely too here in OT, but i knew it was how things were around here, so I took it in my stride and now I have no problem.

I am not talking about exclusive threads. If it's a simple "Hi" or " I'm new here, ssup people" most people wouldn't mind. But there are some specific people who come in just to upset the others. Those are the ones who get treated like that.

About the 10 posts, new members are usually ones with <10 posts, so I guess it does pertain to the topic here.

Also, Flaming is not trolling. There's a huge difference.
[Off-topic] mark manning:
Ad I said before not the place to talk about 10 posters :)

You might of know what to expect but most people do not. Other members should have the same peace of mind when posting in OT as they do anywhere else on XDA.

Trolling can most def be flamming. Perception is everything and just because a small few here in OT see it one way doesn't mean the other 5 million see it another way

Sent from my Nexus 10
[Off-topic] K.A.:
I am not talking about the 10 posters exclusively, I'm mentioning it with reference to the topic in hand -_-

Sure, but a LITTLE reading, like anywhere on XDA, can give you a good idea of how things are run here.

Also, since we're talking useless threads, why aren't these closed yet? What purpose do these serve?

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2243622

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=783077

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1514142

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1850717
[Off-topic] Seraz007:
i personally am a big fan of those threads

its off-topic and it doesnt always need to serve a purpose

Sure ya some threads are absolutely useless like the "How to shave your legs" thread :laugh:

most noobs make threads which are already there :confused:
[Off-topic] K.A.:
Especially the ban the person thread. It's not even a proper game.
[Off-topic] mark manning:
If some people had their way OT wouldn't exist period. This is a developer forum and there is no need for topics like that is what they would say. Personally, I enjoy ot and understand why it is around. Tbh there is pointless threads all across xda that I don't agree with. You want to know what I do about them..... I ignore them. It saves me a lot of headaches to worry only about what I like.

Sent from my Nexus 10
[Off-topic] undercover:
I'll make it a point to be positive then, lol.

You guys probably think we don't agree with the OP here. Wrong, we do. I and quite a few other ot regulars do, that's a fact. What we don't agree with, is how all of the sudden there is a lot of involvement in the old threads that have some sort of the system in place, let's call it "housekeeping", where people know each other well and are doing nothing different nor anything against the rules. You've hammered what we can do and what we can't do into our heads looooong ago. Let's just agree on such a simple thing like not flooding new useless threads but leaving it to you to sort out? You know, all it takes is a bit of communication and a courtesy question. Or leading question. Big part of my job is to make people do things the way I need them to be done, so I'm talking from experience. Peoples skills are not the strongest point of xda as a system.

Mark, you remind me of a new manager that was employed from outside, not risen in the ranks, has no experience but wants to make a name for himself. Don't get offended, just offering view from the side.
[Off-topic] M_T_M:
You are taking this too far mate. This type of posts along the ones that keep complaining about how serious this thread is should stop IMHO.

You know what we are talking about when we say "excessive trolling", right? And if you ever see any of us do that...report us to the MC.

Cheers,
[Off-topic] K.A.:
I do too. I really haven't understood the purpose of those threads but I've never mentioned it too whenever the topic comes up. I enjoyed OT back when I joined. Now, as was mentioned...it's moving on to the PG13 era to accommodate more people and...
[Off-topic] Prawesome:
No thanks. There's a place where everything goes. I believe fun should be contained in OT. For example, Why would i go and post random memes in the feedback/requests thread? It makes no point.

Look, I am not being a "rebel" here or against you guys just because I want to or anything. I am also not saying that OT should be mod-free bla bla bla.. I just hate how OT is being "policed" now and how its all directed at the wrong places, like frat and gli threads which are generally really peaceful. I am with you guys on how people post useless crap all around OT and I am with you on putting an end to that and will extend a helping hand to that. I just hate how its directed at the wrong places and the wrong people. Its all getting directed at the OT regulars here who cause no harm and don't really go around posting pony memes.
[Off-topic] conantroutman:
The posting of crap will never stop because this is an ot forum, thats the place where people post crap. There is no way to stop it.

What will stop is people acting like idiots and swanning around as if they own the place. If these crap threads receive no posts then they'll be off the first page in an hour and nobody needs to ever acknowledge them ever again. Problem solved.
[Off-topic] dexter93:
So.. All this thread and drama to state the obvious.

OT people should stop trolling newcomers to death

Minimize the flooding in new threads

Ok.. But you forget something

1. Stupid and immature people have no place in OT. No matter how you try to make OT stricter towards the rules, you need to fix that first. Post count limits? Stopping them from opening new, useless threads? Dunno. That's up to the mod team to decide

2. Posts will have to stop going missing without a reason. Specially on the threads of the OT regulars, like frat or gli. There have been many reports on that

3. Certain mods have the feeling that we're a bunch of 6year-olds that need constant moderating and tight boundaries. We aren't sheep and you aren't shepherds. Chill out.

You gave a reminder regarding newcomers in OT. We are not the ones who need strict moderation in OT, the newcomers are. We're regulars.. we know what's going on here and how stuff work.

They don't
[Off-topic] ext109:
Agree with #2

Over at the brony thread pages have been disappearing for no reason too..

I wonder why :/

__________________________________________

for the awesome guys over at the brony thread ;)

Pony wallpapers! :D (updated 30/5)
[Off-topic] mark manning:
The only time we come into threads to "moderate" is when someone reported a post or there was a clear rule violation that we saw.

Sent from my Nexus 10
[Off-topic] Archer:
I totally know what you're saying, and I agree largely, but the trolling of people who are new to OT is usually done by regulars who act like they own the place (see all the "GTFO NOOB" posts). I'd personally like everyone to feel welcome here, but they don't. As CTM said, if a thread's pointless then just leave it. It's all the IB4L and GTFO posts that keep it at the top of the pile, and it's not the new member doing that.

In my mind new members posting here and trolls flaming people are two issues. We're looking to deal with one of those issues. I feel like a broken record repeating this, but people that don't disrespect, flame or troll don't have anything to do with this discussion as it won't affect them. We are mostly friends here and lots of us know each other very well. We'll obviously not stop joking with each other, just like IRL with people you know, but you wouldn't say "GTFO" to a complete stranger that came up to you and said hello.

And you're point about posts going missing without (a known) reason, well that's what this thread is about - now we'll all know what's going on and why :)
[Off-topic] Prawesome:
I don't get what you are trying to say? What I was trying to say is this

vvvvv
[Off-topic] diestarbucks:
This. I do agree that if there are pages of clean up that a message/warning of some sort should be left, but if it's a couple of posts that are cleaned up and quickly, there is no need to bog down a thread with a message when communication can be continued with offending members in private.
[Off-topic] undercover:
This is getting ridiculous. OT noobs are the ones that cause it, and ot regulars and mods have to work out tensions, while ot noobs are still being ot noobs and are doing whatever they want without even knowing about the problem they caused. And yes, some ot regulars add to the actual problem, but up until recently it has not been an issue. I think it's time to give pulser a nudge so his finger finally pushes that "delete ot" button. This place is becoming like a kindergarten with us having to act as babysitters.

---------- Post added at 07:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:11 PM ----------

Problem is that often there is no such conversation in private.
[Off-topic] prototype7:
That's perfectly fine, but it needs to be made clear, at least to the member with the offending post, in private if need be, the reason for it being deleted. What we're getting tired of is posts that appear to be legitimate and following the rules disappearing without notice or any explanation to anyone. There needs to be communication and an ability to dispute the deletion. We're fine with rule-breaking posts being removed, but if nobody knows it was breaking the rules and it just disappears, how do we avoid the same situation in the future? The communication isn't there, so to us it appears as a mod going on a power trip and deleting whatever pleases them.

---------- Post added at 02:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:51 PM ----------

Exactly.
[Off-topic] jRi0T68:
I honestly meant no offense whatsoever. I wish I could use a toneofvoice smiley or something to alleviate misunderstandings. My concern is that IF members are going to begin getting infracted

for trolling threads with Spiderman, etc., then I would hope the same standard applies to moderators. Otherwise, there will be an example being set by staff that must not be followed by members, which is baiting some people into trouble.

I'm not saying this is how you or any other moderator will act, just posing the question.

I've seen this type of thing happen, here and elsewhere, where the double-standard causes confusion and staff is permitted to violate rules at will.

I didn't mean all, and possibly it's just the ones out here in SoCal, with the "protect our own" mentality. My brother was stopped at a stop sign, hit by a cop car, and deemed to be at fault. They said he wasn't stopped.

My apologies if the generalization offended.

-No longer accidental, just Jeremy. F.cfb

[Guide] Headphone/Earphone Buying
[Off-topic] ronnie498:
Wasn't offended ;) I have heard worse. Was trying to lighten the mood in the thread.