Holy moly

[Dan Murphy]

Contrary to possible belief, I was not hijacked, my DIS account was/has not (as of now at least) hijacked, by aliens or others (though I suppose some would wish so ).

Last night, I simply (well, it started out simple ) posted a number, 10 or so I think, inane, innocuous, posts in a short period of time. Certainly not spam, as all were different topics. The threads were not all that unlike another poster, who I generally tend to mentally ignore, who stops by periodically to post many similar, inane, innocuous threads in a short period of time (guess my ignoring is not 100% successful). As it has always been fine for that guest, I assumed (I know...makes an blank out of you and me), it would be okay. Seems I guessed wrong. Maybe because posting as such is not my style? What would happen to another poster if their style was always fluff, lots of fluff, and they changed style...wished somebody well, or said they would say a prayer for somebody, or just said, have a nice day? If not their pattern, would they have similar happen? Don't know?

Anyway, they saw fit to close, so be it. We have all heard for years that the DIS is not a democracy, LOL. But it is a good place still. I think it leaps and bounds better than any alternatives I have seen out there.

As for my thoughts on cliques, hijacks, games, build-your post counts, clubs, cyber-drinking, groups, etc. I have sent emails to webmaster and super moderator in the past, have not heard a response. I suggested that if a thread gets to some arbitrary number, be it a club, clique, nightclub, whatever, such as maybe a thousand replies, some pretty big number, it get moved to a Big Thread board, made up of all those huge threads. That would give plenty of time, maybe weeks or months, (maybe days for a build-your-counts) to catch on and get a following on the regular CB. Then, when getting so big it takes a life of its own, move it to the Jumbo Board. The members of those threads are surely going to follow it, as I am sure most have their clubs subscribed to. And if not, I am still confident the members will follow, as with the Katrina and Military sub boards. They are there, not away out of sight.

Some threads grow to immense numbers in days, some take many months or years. Example, I made an 'old-timer' thread way back in February. Today, over four months later, it just hit a count of 399 (I just looked). I have that thread subscribed to and I know when it is replied to. it will be gone for days or weeks, somebody finds it and says hello. Neato, that what I was hoping for, trying to maintain a semblance of contact with people who may have been gone, for whatever reason, for some time. it seems to be working. Now, if that thread some day makes it to a thousand, move it to Jumbo, people will still find it. They find it now and I am sure it gets buried a hundred pages back some times.

Maybe I will hear back from WM or super moderator, maybe not. Just a thought I had put out to them. We have been told not to ask such things here, but rather ask them, which I have done.

As for reporting bad posts, as has been suggested, I do, probably a half dozen a week. Sometimes they are taken care of promptly, sometimes it takes repeated requests, several times a day for several weeks (not really sure why some take so long), but eventually most, virtually all, are taken care of.

So, that's a 4th of July update from me. Nothing in particular, basically same old, same old. Just trying to enjoy the DIS, IMO, the best Disney oriented board out there.

Marie and I are headed over to our friends home for an evening barbecue and I suppose some fireworks. Enjoy the evening.



PS: If anybody replies here, please keep it nice, don't give them an excuse to close it. Seems like it worked with the old timers thread, it has stayed nice.

 

[Buckalew11]

Well, I missed all the excitement last night because of the drivel that is so common on the CB lately. It gets old opening a thread and seeing the crap (excuse the word, Dan) that is posted and I am sure it doesn't take much thought for someone to figure out what I mean by that. It has been frustrating lately to say the least.

But, yes, if you can get past the games, the drivel, the cyber drinking, the hijacking etc. the DIS CB is a wonderful place full of good Disney info, news and updates on what is going on in the world and in people's own worlds.

Just wanted say "Happy 4th" and say that you aren't alone in your frustration lately. I hear it on many off shoot boards I visit from here.

 

[minniecarousel]

Trying your hand at rabble-rousing, eh, Dan?! You were kinda MIA just before I left for my vacation, so I'm glad all is OK with you.

Have a nice "rest-of-the-4th"!!

 

[KathyTX]

As one who's made it clear that you despise the "fluff" threads, the threads were spam and an obvious attempt to be disruptive.

The idea of handling the games and other large threads differently is not a new one. We've (the moderators and webmaster team) discussed reasons pro and con and ways to do it while maintaining the spirit of the forums many times. We've had communications and conversations with a number of board members about this over the years.

This isn't a new idea, and please don't take it personally if we don't respond to you about "your" idea.

We do read the forums, and we do listen to the voice of the posters here. All of the posters.

There are mature ways to communicate and make a statement that will make your message more likely to be heard...

 

[beattyfamily]

Glad to know all is well with you. I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July evening.

Ours was rained out miserably right when the parade started!

I totally get your point Dan, and I agree.

 

[goofygirl]

Dan, I must confess I was also taken by surprise by your posts (hence my "DM, What Are You Doing?" post that grew more than I thought it would), but I see your point. Fluff topics don't really bother me, but the Jumbo Board kind of sounds like a decent idea.

Happy 4th!!

 

[monkeyboy]

The threads were not all that unlike another poster, who I generally tend to mentally ignore, who stops by periodically to post many similar, inane, innocuous threads in a short period of time (guess my ignoring is not 100% successful).

 

[luvmydogs]

Well, I still love ya.

 

[disney4us2002]

WMK: How exactly is that accomplished? You've (collective you've) heard the voices of 100,000+ members? I'm not sure I've officially been heard on this topic, but since you want the opinions of all, I'm with Dan. There is too much nonsense on the CB and I would love to see a game/personal message/jumbo board.

Hope you have a great evening Dan. We just got home from the beach and while we ran into tons of crowds there, the drive home across the Bay Bridge (Marylanders will understand) was a piece of cake unlike going on Saturday, lol.

 

[Poohbear123]

As one who's made it clear that you despise the "fluff" threads, the threads were spam and an obvious attempt to be disruptive.



This isn't a new idea, and please don't take it personally if we don't respond to you about "your" idea.

We do read the forums, and we do listen to the voice of the posters here. All of the posters.

There are mature ways to communicate and make a statement that will make your message more likely to be heard...

I thought they were hysterical to say the least, and I know Dan did it to make a point! I am glad he did, and I think he handled it as mature as he could..... You go Dan!

 

[monkeyboy]

Well, I still love ya.

Nevermind, dont want to be accused of hijacking a thread.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Hope you have a great evening Dan. We just got home from the beach and while we ran into tons of crowds there, the drive home across the Bay Bridge (Marylanders will understand) was a piece of cake unlike going on Saturday, lol.

UGH, Saturday across the Bay Bridge? My sympathies!

I'm not sure about the nonsense part. This is supposed to be fun--maybe skip over what you don't want to open. That's what I do. I agree that there's a lot that I have no interest in. What might be nonsense to me might be something that you enjoy and visa versa.

I think that if there were a way to split up the quantity of posts on the CB into two forums that would help, which is why I agree with having the games and exchanges on another forum. It's hard to define what a club or clique thread is, so that's a tough one.

I think that it's great for people to have found friendships on the DIS. I know that I've met DISers in real life and have cyber friends here. I'm sure eventually I'll meet more of them. I'm never one to turn down a friend. The club or clique threads are simply friendship threads and anyone is welcome to join in (or at least should be--I've read reports today where that's not the case).

 

[ADisneygirl]

Hi Dan! Glad to see that you are ok and not MIA anymore. I missed out on any of these closed threads as I was not on here last night. I always miss the excitement!

Happy Fourth of July ~ hope you and all my DIS friends have a great evening.

 

[drgnfly30]

Dan you rock!

 

[Buckalew11]

I thought they were hysterical to say the least, and I know Dan did it to make a point! I am glad he did, and I think he handled it as mature as he could..... You go Dan!

I think the mature way is to notify the mods and higher ups for a response. When you don't get any response you think you are unheard (speaking for myself). So, you do what you do out of frustration, I guess. Maybe not the most mature way of handling it but I tried to be heard last week in my own by hijacking a thread to "make a point"--not real mature, I know. But who knows...it may happen again because if you can't beat them, join them.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

WMK: How exactly is that accomplished? You've (collective you've) heard the voices of 100,000+ members? I'm not sure I've officially been heard on this topic, but since you want the opinions of all, I'm with Dan. There is too much nonsense on the CB and I would love to see a game/personal message/jumbo board.

Hope you have a great evening Dan. We just got home from the beach and while we ran into tons of crowds there, the drive home across the Bay Bridge (Marylanders will understand) was a piece of cake unlike going on Saturday, lol.

Generally we ask the tag fairy. The tag fairy knows all and sees all

Seriously it's been talked about at the highest level. There are a lot of reasons pro and can and it might happen.
Dan you are allowed to talk about suggestions you feel will improve the boards. What we generally don't allow is debates over specific incidents like why is so and so allowed to do such and such.

 

[Laura]

As one who's made it clear that you despise the "fluff" threads, the threads were spam and an obvious attempt to be disruptive.

The idea of handling the games and other large threads differently is not a new one. We've (the moderators and webmaster team) discussed reasons pro and con and ways to do it while maintaining the spirit of the forums many times. We've had communications and conversations with a number of board members about this over the years.

This isn't a new idea, and please don't take it personally if we don't respond to you about "your" idea.

We do read the forums, and we do listen to the voice of the posters here. All of the posters.

There are mature ways to communicate and make a statement that will make your message more likely to be heard...

Yes, what Dan was doing was spamming the board, which is a bannable offense on other internet BBs. Bad Dan!

The clique threads are certainly problematic as they are often born out of nowhere, even though there are many that are well-established and could have a home of their own. But what I don't understand is why a "games/exchanges" board can't be created, as those are quite clear-cut in their titles and subjects. It would help those looking for those threads find them much more easily, and wouldn't clutter the CB.

 

[Arnie]

Dan Murphy is no more a spammah than I am.

Laughing time is ovah.

 

[Mermaid02]

Missed it all- but Hi Dan

 

[Micca]

Webmaster Alex and the mods do a great job here, and Dan is a terrific contributor. My wish is that respect flows both ways, equally. In regards to trying something different, nothing is written in stone. Could we experiment with some new ideas, and if it doesn't work, it could always revert to how it is now? Thanks for the consideration.