Closing Threads

The point is not to have 8000 threads asking "is my computer fast enough to run GW" or "what do I get for my preorder item" and so on. Being a former forum moderator, it is generally a pain in the butt when people dont read before asking questions. If it was already asked/answered, there is no need for a new thread.
You talk about having 8000 threads, they dont delet them they just close them. That means your argument has no merit.

Most members (such as myself) have no prob awnsering these types of qs. Just let us awnser the question befor you close it. Then you still get to close the thread, but the poster now has his question awnsered.

The point is not to have 8000 threads asking "is my computer fast enough to run GW" or "what do I get for my preorder item" and so on. Being a former forum moderator, it is generally a pain in the butt when people dont read before asking questions. If it was already asked/answered, there is no need for a new thread. Yes I mentioned deleting the threads if they are truly that generic of an answer. But what if the person asked if his computer is fast enough to run GW... "read the system requirements" thread closed. Before you know it I get a message... ok, I installed the client and it seems to be choppy and I was wondering if my computer may be the problem. Then doing it via MSN messenger while helpful to the user is not helpful to others with similar problems. And delete the threads if you're just going to close them on some generic answer there is no point in letting them stay, unless you like everyone to see what you typed.

As a forum admin,... and having offers to two other Guild Wars sites to be a moderator (turned down one, don't have the time). I understand the responsibilities. But "you" took them on (as I mentioned in another post), if you're not able to handle it or don't have enough time. Then do the honorable thing and resign from your post or have others pick up your slack (if it is for a brief period).

Lansing Kai Don

i note that threads are being closed by many different mod/admin so it doesnt appear that the issue is a particular mod/admin slacking off and taking the easy way out. *sigh* I agree Loviatar, I was speaking generally in my first post. In the second I was addressing Enix remark not the question as a whole. And in the last paragraph that was to any moderator/admin, I wasn't referencing just one. I do not want to go that route by the way, I'm not hear to criticize one admin/moderator just the site as a whole. I have no right to make it personal in any way.. especially since it doesn't anger me. Just wanting to let the site know a possible deprivation of information that may be needed.

Lansing Kai Don

has anybody been tracking number of posts per day and the updates to the guides and other information not to mention a lot of new faces in the mod catagory?

they are busy and i have found new mods will have a tendency to be a little more strict at first as they dont want to appear to be sluffing off on the job.

lets let things settle out before passing a hint of judgement as it will only get worse after the game is released and the tide of questions begins. Once again Loviatar, I'm not passing judgement. Just trying to be informative.. I don't want this to become an argument or trying ot make the moderators/admins defend themselves. I agree with you, just letting them know the overall experience that users are getting. And how some members of the community feel. *sigh* Sometimes I wish I don't speak up, but I feel the need if I think there is major room for improvement. I realize it's going to get busy, that's why I chose this time to voice myself. Better before than after.

Lansing Kai Don

i close these threads as they no longer require additional posts. They may not "require" additional posts, but the topic starter may want to thank those that gave them the answer or possibly ask for clarification about that answer. Other users may want to add-on to the answer to be more helpful, etc.

Locking a thread is a last resort to stop an inappropriate thread from continuing, it is a disciplinary action.

I agree with the OP. I'm one of those new members, the actions of certain mods are making me feel as if this is not a friendly community, if it continues I may move on to another forum. Yes, you are new. But perhaps instead of quitting on this one, let's work with them to find a better solution than closing threads right after they're posted. Bgnome I wasn't specifically speaking of you, as people have mentioned, it's more than one (it perhaps is evena mentality). Tell me if I'm completely off base on some of these or help them by adding suggestions to improve them...

Instead of 30 stickies at the top of the forums (which some are approaching 15 and therefore a FULL page for the people who set 20 posts per page).. make one sticky with a link to a FAQ. Yes I know, but build up your FAQ with the items already stickied.

Give the user a time limit to respond, say it nicely like. In your forums case, here are the system requirements.. if you have any further questions please ask them in the next 2-3 hours (or even 24 but that'd be hard to track) as we will be deleting this thread shortly. This will only work for the truly generic questions as you stated. And if you could have someone set up a script time to automatically delete the message after a time span that could make it super easy... or just a reminder system.

I notice some threads have been merged (you do have this here right?)... maybe use this more frequently on generic answers since you just plan on closing the threads anyways. Then you could delete the thread and the user will have a place to respond.

Lansing Kai Don

P.S. Like I said, these are suggestions. I'll try to think of some more but I'm really busy at the moment with work and school. Bgnome thanks for taking a constructive path defending yourself... it's always good to see like-minded individuals open to suggestions. And perhaps none of these are implementable, if not maybe some other community members (especially forum goers) will be able to help.

i have already received a PM from a new member that i believe i may have scared off. now, as i am a new moderator, i am not offended by your critique of my actions.
of course, Q&A is not representative of the community as a whole. my original impression was that GWG was to be a place where players could get more detailed information about the inner workings of the game. i appreciate that Q&A has devolved from that somewhat as the noob stomping grounds. i do not wish to turn the image of this site into an unwelcome place for neophytes, but the more the same questions are asked, the more it dilutes the actually useful information contained in those forums.

i apologize if yall believe that i have been slack at this new job. i have been juggling many things at the moment and wish to be able to devote more time and effort, although that does not excuse any lack of quality on my part.
Bah, your doing what you feel needs to be done. You wouldnt be doing it if the other admins/mods didnt agree. Everyone has a suggestion on how you *need* to do things (including me), but when it comes down to it we dont have the responsibility that you do. Lansing just made a suggestion, as i did in my PM to you. These are not OMFG YOUR RUINING EVERYTHING opinions, just suggestions.

Keep doing what you feel you need to do.

i have already received a PM from a new member that i believe i may have scared off. now, as i am a new moderator, i am not offended by your critique of my actions.
of course, Q&A is not representative of the community as a whole. my original impression was that GWG was to be a place where players could get more detailed information about the inner workings of the game. i appreciate that Q&A has devolved from that somewhat as the noob stomping grounds. i do not wish to turn the image of this site into an unwelcome place for neophytes, but the more the same questions are asked, the more it dilutes the actually useful information contained in those forums.

i apologize if yall believe that i have been slack at this new job. i have been juggling many things at the moment and wish to be able to devote more time and effort, although that does not excuse any lack of quality on my part. Bgnome, once again it's not only you. And you're doing the only thing you can, we understand busy schedules (trust me) we do. But if you're too busy have the admin assign another moderator to the forum to help out till things get straight. You're not alone in your struggles. I understand the problem, that's why I posted. I'll try my best to help with a solution.. and you'll never satisfy everyone but there is always room for improvement. If you scared off a new member, try to reconcile with them and tell them the reason for your actions. Everyone's been there. Like I said, you'll never appease everyone (especially me ) and yes you'll lose a few in the process of improving but there's nothing that can stop that... you WILL lose members. Because this is not the place for everyone, I believe Sin left here because he posted something about WoW and a moderator/admin not naming names banned him. He was merely trying to change perspectives for some of the people who scoff at other RPG's and wanted to know what the other games are like... but I do believe he went the wrong direction with his post. But yet he left due to being excluded. Sometimes it's inevitable. Sometime's it's not. Back on track, I posted some suggestions that may or may not be implementable (I'm not in your shoes so I don't know everything that is going on). But I do know the feeling of being a new moderator... Oh, this post is for you Bgnome not in general

Lansing Kai Don

Bgnome, once again it's not only you. And you're doing the only thing you can, we understand busy schedules (trust me) we do. But if you're too busy have the admin assign another moderator to the forum to help out till things get straight. You're not alone in your struggles. I understand the problem, that's why I posted. I'll try my best to help with a solution.. and you'll never satisfy everyone but there is always room for improvement. If you scared off a new member, try to reconcile with them and tell them the reason for your actions. Everyone's been there. Like I said, you'll never appease everyone (especially me ) and yes you'll lose a few in the process of improving but there's nothing that can stop that... you WILL lose members. Because this is not the place for everyone, I believe Sin left here because he posted something about WoW and a moderator/admin not naming names banned him. He was merely trying to change perspectives for some of the people who scoff at other RPG's and wanted to know what the other games are like... but I do believe he went the wrong direction with his post. But yet he left due to being excluded. Sometimes it's inevitable. Sometime's it's not. Back on track, I posted some suggestions that may or may not be implementable (I'm not in your shoes so I don't know everything that is going on). But I do know the feeling of being a new moderator... Oh, this post is for you Bgnome not in general

Lansing Kai Don Holy crap Sin was banned? that sucks

but the more the same questions are asked, the more it dilutes the actually useful information contained in those forums. Again though, locking these posts does not stop the next new member who joins from asking the same question. And if it is such a simple, over-asked question, it will die on its own anyway. There's no reason to lock them.

Just point them to the sticky posts or the search function in a polite manor, and hope they learn to check those features themselves.

Holy crap Sin was banned? that sucks Yes, but that's not the topic on hand Manderlock. Besides, I didn't get to read the post and therefore I have no opinion on it. From some of the problems in getting his point across with some of us (including myself), I fear it may have been a bit emotional on the frustration side. But his heart was in the right place.. it was titled How to Make Guild Wars like WoW or something like that, and it asked what you could do to make Guild Wars like WoW or other RPG's..... he's very goot at analyzing things.. but I don't think he's very good at showing other people the item's he analyzed or why he asks some of the questions he does. This was to get a better feel for the other games and therefore know why people think Guild Wars is lacking (and for him to have more knowledge on it).

Lansing Kai Don