Author Topic: User Polls (Read 5560 times)

Minister Polarius · « **on:** December 28, 2009, 11:43:40 AM »

Since we're here, I vote yes on user-created polls with strict posting guidelines to prevent spam.

The Schaef · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2009, 11:47:01 AM »

I already have that in place. The strict posting guidelines to prevent spam, are that only global mods can do it.

This issue can be visited in a separate thread. Like so.

Minister Polarius · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2009, 11:52:14 AM »

That's not at all what I'm talking about and you know it :p Gmods are not users, they are administrators.

Just people some people would be wont to post a billion music polls and "who's your favorite wrestler" doesn't mean that the rest of us shouldn't be able to have a poll feature on which ring they should get their girlfriend. Just warn/ban abusers and let the rest of us utilize a standard forum feature.

The Schaef · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2009, 12:47:01 PM »

That's too much like work.

Master KChief · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:09:33 PM »

Quote from: Minister Polarius on December 28, 2009, 11:52:14 AM

...doesn't mean that the rest of us shouldn't be able to have a poll feature on which ring they should get their girlfriend.

like i did awhile back. a poll would have probably been easier to collect the results, as well as see them better.

Minister Polarius · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:07:16 PM »

Quote from: The Schaef on December 28, 2009, 12:47:01 PM

That's too much like work.

I don't think so. There are only like 3 active users that may abuse this (not wanting to point any fingers), and once they get banned the first time (or perhaps even warned), it won't be an issue at all. And teaching new players not to abuse polls is no more difficult than teaching them not to spam or necropost (which is apparently pretty hard for a select few, but again, one warning should do the trick).

The Schaef · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:15:07 PM »

Okay, before you spend any more time arguing about this, you might want to step back a bit and realize that this thread was split off from the other and left open for feedback, thereby cultivating the possibility that they might be instituted more widely.

And then buy a sports car.

sk · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2009, 03:12:41 PM »

It's been my experience on [other boards] that 90% of polls are spam. Or, at least, that's what one of the polls said.

Cameron the Conqueror · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2009, 03:13:59 PM »

I think the creation of polls should be turned on and we can see what happens. There are definitely some times where a poll is needed and counting responses mixed with comments just doesn't work. If there is massive spam (which I don't predict) turn it back off. No harm done, and we could get a new, helpful feature.

Minister Polarius · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2009, 04:02:27 PM »

Quote from: The Schaef on December 28, 2009, 02:15:07 PM

And then buy a sports car.

Epic.

SirNobody · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2009, 06:39:48 PM »

Hey,

I approve of the current limitations on polls. If someone isn't willing to put the effort into tallying the 10-20 responses they'll get by hand, then the thread's not worth creating in the first place.

Tschow,

Tim "Sir Nobody" Maly

Master KChief · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2009, 06:54:31 PM »

thats like saying if you're not willing to walk across town to get a slushie, then you probably shouldnt drive. -_-

Minister Polarius · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2009, 07:52:59 PM »

Quote from: Master KChief on December 28, 2009, 06:54:31 PM

thats like saying if you're not willing to walk across town to get a slushie, then you probably shouldnt drive. -_-

The Schaef · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2009, 08:49:33 PM »

Quote from: Master KChief on December 28, 2009, 06:54:31 PM

thats like saying if you're not willing to walk across town to get a slushie, then you probably shouldnt drive. -_-

Actually, that analogy doesn't work at all. It's like saying if you're not willing to walk a few blocks to get a slushie, then you probably don't want one that bad to begin with.

SirNobody · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2009, 09:10:31 PM »

Hey,

Quote from: Master KChief on December 28, 2009, 06:54:31 PM

thats like saying if you're not willing to walk across town to get a slushie, then you probably shouldnt drive. -_-

My thinking was that 10-20 was a rather small number as far as vote totals go. The "across town" analogy would be valid if we were talking about 100-200 votes. To me, 10-20 is more like an "end of the block" number. And I have no problem with the statement "if you're not willing to walk to the end of the block to get a slushie, then you probably shouldn't drive."

Tschow,

Tim "Sir Nobody" Maly

TimMierz · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2009, 09:26:25 PM »

Some people, like myself, will voice an opinion via a poll but not further clutter up a thread (possibly breaking up conversation) to post a single-word answer. That sounds like a good reason to have a poll to me.

Master KChief · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2009, 09:36:37 PM »

Quote from: SirNobody on December 28, 2009, 09:10:31 PM

Hey,

Quote from: Master KChief on December 28, 2009, 06:54:31 PM
thats like saying if you're not willing to walk across town to get a slushie, then you probably shouldnt drive. -_-

My thinking was that 10-20 was a rather small number as far as vote totals go. The "across town" analogy would be valid if we were talking about 100-200 votes. To me, 10-20 is more like an "end of the block" number. And I have no problem with the statement "if you're not willing to walk to the end of the block to get a slushie, then you probably shouldn't drive."

Tschow,

Tim "Sir Nobody" Maly

ah, i did not realize you meant the number in a miniscule way. i assumed the number was arbitrary. either way, who are we to judge the reasonableness of a course of action. my brother literally lives right behind a quik trip, yet he still drives there anytime he would like a coke or hot dog. my point is, why do things the hard way when there is an alternative to do them the easy way.

DaClock · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2009, 09:40:01 PM »

I would drive to the end of the block to get a slurpee, I wouldn't walk though. Maybe with a moving sidewalk I could walk, but not normally.

The Schaef · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2009, 10:48:17 PM »

Quote from: Master KChief on December 28, 2009, 09:36:37 PM

my brother literally lives right behind a quik trip, yet he still drives there anytime he would like a coke or hot dog. my point is, why do things the hard way when there is an alternative to do them the easy way.

To consider the implementation of polling in threads to be the "easy way" to do things is a highly subjective assessment. Your own example demonstrates this; given the short distance to walk and the lack of a restriction to paved roadways, a drive would appear to require more time and effort.

Another example, the purchase of a particular ring is far too involved - and important - to be able to boil down to a simple poll with a small handful of shorthand options. Experienced voices are invariably going to want to provide more in-depth advice, and in order to reach the best conclusion, you're going to have to read and analyze the thread anyway. No real time saved there.

Who we are to judge the reasonableness of a course of action, are the people who have the option to implement this feature or not, and therefore must decide whether to do so, and if we do, how it is to be maintained and moderated. And who we are - in many cases - are people who have not been shy about making such judgements in many other instances. You imply a rhetorical tone but the question does in fact have legitimate responses, which is the reason this thread exists in the first place.

Master KChief · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2009, 11:05:01 PM »

its ultimately up to the person themself that chooses/doesnt choose to use the poll feature to decide which course of action would be easier for them. im all for the freedom for a person to decide upon themselves which route they'd like to go. personally i think its a bit silly my brother drives to the gas station almost every other day rather than walk the few paces for whatever he may need...but ultimately, thats his decision, thats what he has decided for himself to be easier, and i respect that.

similiarly, if i had the option back then, i would have sprung to use a poll back when i was purchasing my girlfriends ring. not only do i view it easier for me to see the total results all in one glance without having to keep a mental tally every time i viewed the thread, but i think it would have also been a convenience to those not wishing to leave detailed or involved comments. the lack of such a feature could have swayed others too lazy to leave a response. in other words, im all for more freedoms and choices, not less.

The Schaef · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2009, 11:17:46 PM »

Quote from: Master KChief on December 28, 2009, 11:05:01 PM

its ultimately up to the person themself that chooses/doesnt choose to use the poll feature to decide which course of action would be easier for them... im all for more freedoms and choices, not less.

And it's up to moderators to uphold forum policies, maintain order and ensure that privileges that are distributed through permissions and added features are not abused to the detriment of the whole, especially in an environment that is frequented by children, and therefore must remain family-friendly.

Such permissions will be delgated if there is enough desire among the userbase to implement it at all, or in such a case, to warrant the additional burden that will be placed on the moderating staff. It will therefore be a conclusion drawn for practical reasons, not ideological ones.

Minister Polarius · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2009, 11:47:55 PM »

I again posit the opinion that abusing polls would be no easier than abusing regular posting, and easier to control. Imposing harsh penalties for spam is infeasible when one man's jovial post is another man's nasty meat in a can. However, imposing harsh penalties for poll abuse is, at least from my perspective, a more clear field of what is and what is not.

You talk about extra work, but I ask you if you think there will really be any once the three-ringed circus posters (you know who, they know who) get the picture? I don't see Gabe or Professor Underwood abusing polls.

The Schaef · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2009, 12:10:44 AM »

It's not about the ease of abuse from one method over another, it's simply a matter of addition. More ways to post content present more ways to post enforceable content.

I am not thrilled to admit that I do not share your optimism regarding either a more distinctive line for flagging poll spam or for a positive response to strict enforcement. People here already know I mean business regarding posts, yet here we are.

Minister Polarius · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2009, 12:33:10 AM »

I disagree about addition. It's not like people don't make polls today. Having this feature won't create more threads, just change the format of the threads that would be posted anyway. Perhaps there would be a slight hike, but nothing near approaching the volume that would outweigh the obvious benefits of allowing user-created polls.

The Schaef · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2009, 12:43:02 AM »

I remain skeptical, but obviously not beyond convincing.

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Author Topic: User Polls (Read 5560 times)

The Schaef

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