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This came up as a result of a discussion between myself and Pretre in N+R, and at his suggestion, thought I'd repost it here as a suggestion and for feedback...

 azreal13 wrote:

 pretre wrote:

 azreal13 wrote:
How's about this then.

Anyone with an established reputation (we can use the rumour tracker for this, >60% accuracy and more than 25 shared, separate rumours maybe?) we give access to a moderated thread which is somewhat like the GW sticky, effectively a transmit only thread, and discussion is conducted elsewhere.

I can see an argument against this, as it isn't really in the manner of Dakka to be as controlling as some other sites, but if it means we can get people to come here with news first and without fear of being attacked or ridiculed (but with the option to participate in the discussion if they want, but also the ability to simply not see it if they prefer) that can only be good for the site, can't it?

I think this is not a bad idea but I can see some problems. 1) It gives me a lot of power. 2) This is the kind of thing that you would need to get Yak to sign off on probably and I don't know that he wants to get into this kind of business. 3) It exposes Yak to liability for leaks depending on the type of 'rumor' 4) you have to convince the rumor monger that it is in their best interest to come here, even with their own thread.

Maybe something to bring up in Nuts and Bolts.

1) Well, you know what great power comes with don't you?
2) Fair point
3) I can't see how Yak would be liable if the info is still being posted by users of a public forum? Sure, if something crosses some sort of line, there may be some sort of takedown notice, and that may be unwanted hassle, but I can't see it going further than that.
4) Yes, perhaps we need some sort of "cute and fluffy" delegate to send out into cyberspace and persuade them (not volunteering!)

I'll repost this in N+B as well, see what the feedback is.

Seems like a lot of moderation headache for no clear reward.

 Ouze wrote:
Seems like a lot of moderation headache for no clear reward.

I think of all the negatives, that is the least likely.

They get a sticky locked thread. They PM a mod who updates it. Bam. No headache.

And what's the benefit to having a self-elected rumor czar copy and paste the new Nafka rumor in this thread instead of Johnny Noposts copying and pasting it?

 pretre wrote:
They get a sticky locked thread.

Dakka's a discussion forum. Discussion goes 2 ways. I think what you want is a blog.

 Ouze wrote:
And what's the benefit to having a self-elected rumor czar copy and paste the new Nafka rumor in this thread instead of Johnny Noposts copying and pasting it?

The idea is that the actual rumor mongers hang out here and discuss. I.e. Hastings, Stickmonkey, etc. Natfka has his own platform so wouldn't be likely to stop by.

 pretre wrote:
They get a sticky locked thread.

Dakka's a discussion forum. Discussion goes 2 ways. I think what you want is a blog.

You'll notice I didn't bring it up or ask for it. I'm just answering your questions. Dial it down.

If you notice the OP's point, he said there would be separate places to discuss them.

You don't have to like it, that's cool.

 pretre wrote:
If you notice the OP's point, he said there would be separate places to discuss them.

.... so what's the point, exactly? What is the benefit here?

Ouze wrote:.... so what's the point, exactly? What is the benefit here?

According the azrael13, who came up with the idea and wrote as such in the first post?

azreal13 wrote: it means we can get people to come here with news first and without fear of being attacked or ridiculed (but with the option to participate in the discussion if they want, but also the ability to simply not see it if they prefer) that can only be good for the site, can't it?

Won't they get attacked and ridiculed in the accompanying duplicated post where we discuss whatever?

Maybe I don't understand this. Stickmonkey posts that there will be new Plasma Codpieces for Space Marines, so he PM's a mod to edit a thread to add this rumor to a locked thread, and then we also have another thread where we are allowed to discuss the exact same topic?

 Ouze wrote:
Won't they get attacked and ridiculed in the accompanying duplicated post where we discuss whatever?

Only if they choose to join the conversation.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Ouze wrote:
Maybe I don't understand this. Stickmonkey posts that there will be new Plasma Codpieces for Space Marines, so he PM's a mod to edit a thread to add this rumor to a locked thread, and then we also have another thread where we are allowed to discuss the exact same topic?

I believe that is what azrael13 is saying.

It gives rumor mongers a home, basically.

I gotta agree with Ouze. I think this is kind of breaking the forum format to do what could be better suited in a blog.

Now, on the other hand, incorporating blogging software into dakka such that users could have private blogs in addition to posting globally on the forum might be interesting, if a massive undertaking. Then a respected rumormonger could start their own blog there and be followed by the userbase.

My question is this: Why are forums the primary source of rumormonger output? Why don't they (or more of them anyway) have personal blogs that we can read stuff from?

Of course, I'd think consistent blogs somewhere neutral that the forums link to would be preferable, from both, a presentation level, and a "community" level. That way, no forum gets preferential scoops, the rumors have primary focus and won't get lost in 1000 pages of "bring your salt!!!1".

 pretre wrote:
It gives rumor mongers a home, basically.

If the mods shoot this down, perhaps it might be worth considering using the Article system. Each rumor monger could create their own article, and the software already automatically creates a discussion thread for discussing the article. The discussion threads would be be in "the wrong place"; but half a loaf is better than none I imagine.

 Ouze wrote:

 pretre wrote:
It gives rumor mongers a home, basically.

If the mods shoot this down, perhaps it might be worth considering using the Article system. Each rumor monger could create their own article, and the software already automatically creates a discussion thread for discussing the article. The discussion threads would be be in "the wrong place"; but half a loaf is better than none I imagine.

I had actually thought of that. It would be easy enough to move them to N&R though. Which is an interesting solution with less overhead.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 daedalus wrote:
My question is this: Why are forums the primary source of rumormonger output? Why don't they (or more of them anyway) have personal blogs that we can read stuff from?

That we can't really answer without asking the mongers. Most of them probably don't want to put the effort into a blog and turning their hobby into a job.

Allow me to explain.

Some of the rumour mangers have been given a hard time by users in other forums, which they have publicly admitted has caused them to draw back from sharing what they know. (This was specifically one of the big Hs IIRC)

My proposition was to give them a place to come where they could share what they know, but by keeping it separate, in a tightly moderated thread, it meant they could share without fear of ridicule and general snark.

Of course, users would be free to discuss the information elsewhere on the board, but it would mean that the original rumourmonger didn't have to take part in the discussion if they didn't want (or even see it.)

I also propose that only users with at least some semblance of a track record be featured in this thread, perhaps using Pretre's tracker as a means of establishing sufficient accuracy, so any "my girlfriend's cousin's boyfriend's mate was talking to a red shirt and Orks are getting a 40K legal Titan in their next Codex, true story" stuff would have to take its chances in open forum (but if that user kept supplying info, and good info, they would ultimately be promoted.)

If Dakka provides a positive environment for rumour guys to hang out, they will hang out here, if they hang out here, then people will log in more to see what they say. Increased traffic is good for Dakka, so benefits us all.

If you don't like the idea of not being able to shout directly at the messenger when you don't like the message well..*shrug*


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I will add that I'm not fixated on doing it as a thread, but I do think if we can implement something to make Dakka "monger friendly" then it is only a good thing.

I dont spend any time on other sites so perhaps someone could help me better understand what is it that attracts a rumor poster to there site of choice? Also does anyone have any insight into why those rumor folks dont generally hang out at dakka?

Also could perhaps offering a free DCM membership to a rumor poster entice them to dakka?

 ironicsilence wrote:
I dont spend any time on other sites so perhaps someone could help me better understand what is it that attracts a rumor poster to there site of choice? Also does anyone have any insight into why those rumor folks dont generally hang out at dakka?

The same thing that attracts you to a site of choice. Freedom to post, nice people, content you like, etc.

Also could perhaps offering a free DCM membership to a rumor poster entice them to dakka?

I think this is a bad precedent.