Consolidated Threads--Why?

Lets start this off with a relatively simple question, then I'll move on to the meat of the post.

Are consolidated threads a wise addition to this forum?

I say no. I think overconsolidation is very unwise. I can understand the appeal to a Moderator to have, for instance, all discussions regarding farming taking place in the Consolidated Thread for Farming. However, it seems very apparent that these threads are not all that useful in a linear discussion.

Take for example the aforementioned farming thread. I have my post-per-page set at 40; as a result, the farming thread is divided into some 71 pages. That's over 2800 posts. To a newcomer into such a thread, this would likely present an overwhelming hurdle. Who here would enjoy reading 2800 posts? And if the newcomer decides merely to read the last one or two pages, the newcomer likely falls into the trap of repeating something said earlier, making their contribution of little worth.

It's very difficult--in my experience, anyway--to enter a linear debate when such a debate has extended to such lengths. Thus, it can be difficult to explore every facet of an issue--especially one as multi-faceted as farming--when one is required to post in the single farming thread. This leads to a highly convoluted and non-constructive environment.

Consolidated threads can serve a purpose in "Feedback" threads which a developer regularly peruses for the purpose of procuring valuable feedback in a "group consensus" manner, likely with only tangential benefit gleaned from the ensuing debate. I think the question is whether consolidated threads--again putting the farming thread on a pedestal here--are necessary for major issues receiving little attention from the red names.

In my experience, I'm most swayed by threads that typically run about 2 or 3 pages in length, covering a very specific facet of a single subject. Why is this no longer allowed? Have we reached the point of overconsolidation? Or is that the point--merely to keep the kiddies in a secluded playpen while they argue their hearts out?

For subjects which are of specific importance to the devs (ie: your farming thread example), what benefit is gained from having multiple threads?

It's just like having multiple pages, except each page is harder to find and you're guaranteed to get repetition, rather than just a strong likelihood.

Repetition is inevitable, yes, but I believe the chances are lower. In addition, should repetition occur in a multi-thread environment, I feel it's possible to glean more worth, in that the repetitive post could be explored in a different way rather than ignored.

If there is one thing this forum has taught me is that when two threads seem similar so will all the points and counterpoints.

Even if they start off differently the people who have points to push will guide the thread the way they want. When this happens it's better to just smoosh the thread together so they take up less space.

Consolidated threads are basically ant traps to make moderating easier.

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Consolidated threads are basically ant traps to make moderating easier.

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This.

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Who here would enjoy reading 2800 posts?

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OOO! OOO! ME! ME! *raises hand wildly*

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Or is that the point--merely to keep the kiddies in a secluded playpen while they argue their hearts out?

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Pretty much.

And, to make you Angry of course.

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And, to make you Angry of course.

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Is that new?

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Are consolidated threads a wise addition to this forum?


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yes because nobody wants to wade through a wall of 15 threads all covering the same point.

Consolidated threads allow interested players to state their opinions for the record without chasing other topics off the front page.

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In my experience, I'm most swayed by threads that typically run about 2 or 3 pages in length, covering a very specific facet of a single subject. Why is this no longer allowed?

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I don't think they're all that concerned with your ideal method of processing information.
Consolidated threads suit their purposes, so that's what we get.

I would rather argue the lesson learned from the farming thread is that some topics shouldn't be discussed. No progress will really be made on the topic, other than battle lines are drawn. As farming is viewed as a playstyle, any such debate is an attack on what one would consider enjoyable or worthwhile. As such, it is highly unlikely that anyone would convince said farmers.

That thread doesn't need to be consolidated. It needs to be locked and any thread discussing it further, deleted. Those topics used to be whispered about in the shadows. Life was better then.

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For subjects which are of specific importance to the devs (ie: your farming thread example), what benefit is gained from having multiple threads?

It's just like having multiple pages, except
each page is harder to find and
you're guaranteed to get repetition,
rather than just a strong likelihood.

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This!

And it corrects the breach of the rules, which tells us we are to ...
SEARCH first, and
Post in the OTHER threads about the topic,
rather than start [u]yet another[u] thread on the same topic.


People who start multiple threads are either ignorant or insane. They <ul type="square">[*]are inept, or ignorant of the existing topic, because they did not search.
This would mean they haven't already read the background or discussions that are already there.[*]or they are simply trying to reset the discussion, hoping that this time they can get the outcome to match their desired opinion.
and you know, . . . doing the same thing over and over and over, hoping to get a different result? insanity.[/list].

I'd much rather have one thread with 2800 posts, than 15 threads with...

...2800 posts.

Before consolidation, entering City Life, Suggestions, or Player Q's, at the default thread view setting, all anyone would see was "Rage Farm" threads on the first page.

(I view 50 posts per page so not so much for me.)

Search is a bad joke here.

For example, a simple subject query "Farming -re" produced 200 returns that did not even HAVE "Farming" in the subject!

I prefer they consolidate them.

..just sayin

Take the Magic: The Gathering 'What Color Are You?' Quiz.

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For subjects which are of specific importance to the devs (ie: your farming thread example), what benefit is gained from having multiple threads?

It's just like having multiple pages, except
each page is harder to find and
you're guaranteed to get repetition,
rather than just a strong likelihood.

[/ QUOTE ]
This!

And it corrects the breach of the rules, which tells us we are to ...
SEARCH first, and
Post in the OTHER threads about the topic,
rather than start [u]yet another[u] thread on the same topic.


People who start multiple threads are either ignorant or insane. They <ul type="square">[*]are inept, or ignorant of the existing topic, because they did not search.
This would mean they haven't already read the background or discussions that are already there.[*]or they are simply trying to reset the discussion, hoping that this time they can get the outcome to match their desired opinion.
and you know, . . . doing the same thing over and over and over, hoping to get a different result? insanity.[/list].

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You forgot their unshakable belief that what they have to say is a unique snowflake of pure reason which should get everyone's attention before it gets drowned out by the rabble on page 20.

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Search is a bad joke here.

For example, a simple subject query "Farming -re" produced 200 returns that did not even HAVE "Farming" in the subject!

I prefer they consolidate them.

..just sayin

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Use Google and Site:boards.cityofheroes.com you can occasionaly even find things that have been purged.

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You forgot their unshakable belief that what they have to say is a unique snowflake of pure reason which should get everyone's attention before it gets drowned out by the rabble on page 20.

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Good to see the regard you hold for your fellow players in.

That search WAS here on the boards. Where did you think I searched? &lt;Not being snarky, just an honest question&gt;

Take the Magic: The Gathering 'What Color Are You?' Quiz.

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That search WAS here on the boards. Where did you think I searched? &lt;Not being snarky, just an honest question&gt;

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I know was just trying to give you a better way to search these boards. You are correct the internal search function sucks wind.

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You forgot their unshakable belief that what they have to say is a unique snowflake of pure reason which should get everyone's attention before it gets drowned out by the rabble on page 20.

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Hawr!

it's funny because it's true...

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You forgot their unshakable belief that what they have to say is a unique snowflake of pure reason which should get everyone's attention before it gets drowned out by the rabble on page 20.

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Good to see the regard you hold for your fellow players in.

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lol. it's you!

problem is with the dispatch: The ammount of people wiewing this and/or that, is not relevant to their preocuppations ingame.

So, you have 1 forum, 5 subs for PvP, etc, etc... now, look at people's interest in such threads...

I mean, We need a forums for farms.

1. the anti farm
2. the pro farm
3.How do you farm
4.Why do you farm.

this would cover it, and be respectful to the gamers.

yup, you can add some more

Heck, I've seen people admit outright that they thought they deserved their own thread. "Well, that thread's 30 pages long and I knew my post would just get drowned out."

When your mom told you you were special, she meant TO HER.

The issue, City_Life, is that somehow we've managed to go all this time without farming being an issue. People just...DID it, they might brag about it, but the devs didn't much care. Before IOs even, it was inf, xp, Hami-Os, whatever. Then comes AE, specifically slated as "not for farming" (admittedly a tricky thing to define at best), and suddenly it's a topic in need of its own forum? Or a new thread for every user?

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Heck, I've seen people admit outright that they thought they deserved their own thread. "Well, that thread's 30 pages long and I knew my post would just get drowned out."

When your mom told you you were special, she meant TO HER.

The issue, City_Life, is that somehow we've managed to go all this time without farming being an issue. People just...DID it, they might brag about it, but the devs didn't much care. Before IOs even, it was inf, xp, Hami-Os, whatever. Then comes AE, specifically slated as "not for farming" (admittedly a tricky thing to define at best), and suddenly it's a topic in need of its own forum? Or a new thread for every user?

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blame it on the devs.

They want farming.

Though, they dont want the fuss about it.

Im not an hypocrit. im not a dev. i farm. i got back to the forums when the farmers got flamed.
I wanna win this, even though we won the digitalwarz for long now. (aka the meta battles)

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You forgot their unshakable belief that what they have to say is a unique snowflake of pure reason which should get everyone's attention before it gets drowned out by the rabble on page 20.

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Good to see the regard you hold for your fellow players in.

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lol. it's you!

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Your wit is only exceeded by your kind words and good nature sir.

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You forgot their unshakable belief that what they have to say is a unique snowflake of pure reason which should get everyone's attention before it gets drowned out by the rabble on page 20.

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Good to see the regard you hold for your fellow players in.

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I hold most of my fellow players in high regard... while fully recognizing that there are a handful of muttonheads who fit the above description.