Curb bickering in Introduction threads

[flutrose]

Lately I've noticed a trend popping up in the Introduction forums. Members are using these threads as a forum to argue amongst themselves and make posts that are completely irrelevant to the applicants.

I know that the membership at large was recently encouraged to visit the Intro section so the intros didn't get backlogged. But in all honesty, it's my opinion that some of the members that have been busy there just aren't able to control themselves nor do I think they have the skills needed to be handling potential new members.



I take potential new members very seriously. If we stop getting new members we'll eventually wither and die. It's in all of our best interests to see that the applicants are taken care of properly. In NO CASE WHATSOEVER should they be exposed to disagreements amongst our members on their freaking introduction threads! This is inexcusable no matter what the justification. There are more correct ways of handling disputes such as PMing a mod or reporting a post.

As you can probably tell I'm more than a little pissed about this. So therefore I'm going to propose a more extreme measure: Only those members that have been approved by the mods will be allowed to post in Introduction threads. Surely we can devise a test that members can take to prove they have the knowledge necessary to deal with applicants and perhaps our mods can review said members posting histories to determine whether or not they appear to have a lick of common sense, as well as the ability to interact somewhat tactfully with others.

I realize this would put another big burden on our already overworked forum mods. But this problem seems to be escalating and I believe it will only get worse if ignored.

This is the latest thread that displays what I'm talking about, for those who don't know. http://www.torrent-invites.com/intro...-caroline.html
Thank you for reading this.

[mecht]

I see where you are coming from, but I have a feeling this viewpoint differs from the "everyone pitch in a helping hand" atmosphere the mods have been trying to create with respects to the intros.

So far the only requirement to post in the intro section is 33%, and even then there is nothing to stop someone who is a 10% from doing so. I would look further into this aspect before touching on the other part.

If it were up to me, I would try my best to issue gentle warnings rather than try to spurn someone from never posting in intros again. Most of us are good hearted enough to realize we all make mistakes and are not as nice as we could be, especially when dealing with fellow members.

Maybe the mods have a different viewpoint and I'm sure a different way of handling this, but it would seem a warning and some encouragement would go a lot farther than making you write an essay just to rep someone in.

The stickies are already there, it just requires some knowledge, some experience, and a whole lot of patience. I know that most of us appreciate the fact everyone can help everyone else, and we don't isolate anyone.

[staffrodore]

If that were my intro thread I would have given up by now due to the members bickering. Doesn't look good for anyone who wishes to join and happens to read the thread.

[Chunky]

Yeah I agree with both of you. I think the whole arguing thing is/or might be flaming. The OP hardly even spoke in that thread, instead it was filled with arguing back and forth.

Now I understand the different opinions of what people are saying or the different ways they rep people in. However the arguing should not have taken place in the thread, Caroline in the example probably left and isnt coming back.

In the future I think it should be pmed to a mod and dealt with that way, or they can work it out amongst themselves in the irc for instance.

Chunky

[TorrentChamp]

man its really sad to see that we all T-I members are arguing in the INTRO section..which makes the first impression of TI on new comers..if somebody see us arguing when they are just about to enter into our area..just imagine what kind of a impression that will make on the new comers..
I personally do not intervene or take over somebody else's comments or suggestions in the INTRO section as it is one of the very imp sections of T-I..it is a common understanding or rather a COMMON SENSE which should be in all of us..
Anyways I really like this idea that only few people should be able to review the applications and comment on them..if its not possible for the mods then I guess volunteers authorized by the mods will make the necessary difference

[Maksimir]

I haven't been here but a few weeks, and I read the intro sections just for kicks out of boredom sometimes but don't post in it obviously, and I have noticed that it is already pretty much only a handful of members who post there and rep in newcomers as it is.... so if what you are proposing were to be implemented, it wouldn't be that big of a change.

[underc0ver]

Great thread, I just got repped in a few minutes ago and I can tell you from my own experience that I didn't really felt welcome at first.

Of course it was partly my own mistake, because I didn't obey all of the rules and thought a speedtest wouldn't be needed if I post a screen from my gbit seedbox's webUI, which probably made me look a bit arrogant (which is not true at all if you know me hehe)... Also I decided to remove the first digit from my proofs (ScT and SCC) because I had massive TB's of upload and even giving the first digit of my ratio would have exposed me (because I could easily be found in the top50 with that information)...

Only 2 members, which were on good trackers like ScT or SCC themselves (and VIP on this site) did understand my "problems" (or effort to keep as much privacy as possible)... The other guys gave me shitty comments like "either post all the stuff that is needed or hit the road" which made me feel very pissed, because I know I am not above the rules or laws, but it seemed like they had no respect for what I might be abled to offer and/or were fustrated about smth and let me feel their mood.

Even though I'm not here for very long I can already approve the tendency, that ppl with good rep and good posts, or even VIP members, have more experience to both, judge about the application and the persons's information, as well as to handle the contact with new potential members.

[kevdogg]

yes arguing and bickering needs to end in the intro section. People are hijacking an intro thread to argue with fellow t-i members which reflects poorly on us and casts a negative view upon a new member who is joining this site who is seeking to join a fun and trusted community and yet is greeted with arguments between t-i members. Deal with your problems in pm's and the irc chan, not in someone's intro thread.

[pascualito]

I guess i had the same embarrassing sensation while rading that intro thread. The ting is that, as mecht said, the mods have been trying to get everyone over 33% involved with the repping process at ht time they added the form and the secret password improvements (post) . I completely agree that's not the place to open a public discussion, but I don't think that creating a "Rep Squad" would be the solution.



.

[staffrodore]

Even though I'm not here for very long I can already approve the tendency, that mappers with good rep and good posts, or even VIP members, have more experience to both, judge about the application and the persons's information, as well as to handle the contact with new potential members.

Don't assume that even VIP members have experience to both although the majority of them do. Remember being VIP just means you donated money to the site or won MOTM. There's even been a couple of VIP's who've been exposed as cheaters and scammers, so you could have a user who has signed up today, been repped in, made one post and buys VIP. So off he goes into the intro forum without really having no idea of the rules. Which is one thing I don't understand, buying membership is fine to gain access to high level invite G/A's straightaway, but I feel there should still be a wait time, maybe a lesser time than normal members, for that VIP to learn the rules and post in intro's.

In fact this thread was aimed at an intro where a VIP member targeted a 33% member and it carried on to 3 different threads, each time the VIP member attacking the other member.
You happened to come across a VIP who's been here a long time and is a great member here.