General / Off-Topic When to post vs when not to?

[Polygonal Spaceship]

Ever had a legitimate question, and spent ages writing and proofing a post on it, only to end up wondering whether it would cause trouble to do so?

Yep, it's one of those nights. There's something I can't get my head around (and, as it so often is in my experience, it's a question about human behaviour) - I'd love to hear the community's input, but there's a part of me that worries it'll end up being locked because of a few individuals taking umbrage. It's not written as a flame post, a call-out, or an ad-hominem attack, and nor is it meant to be, but... you know how there's inevitably one person who takes it too far and starts a slanging match?

Gah. It's enough to make my brain hurt. Anyone got any ideas?

(Pic related)

 

[Chris Simon]

The general internet rule (I just made it up) is "Don't post a question you don't want to hear the answer to" and "Don't post an opinion unless you're prepared to hear counter-opinions"
As far as forum goes, the additional rule is "Don't bait" i.e. don't post deliberately controversial stuff.

 

[Ian Skippy]

Ever had a legitimate question, and spent ages writing and proofing a post on it, only to end up wondering whether it would cause trouble to do so?

Yep, it's one of those nights. There's something I can't get my head around (and, as it so often is in my experience, it's a question about human behaviour) - I'd love to hear the community's input, but there's a part of me that worries it'll end up being locked because of a few individuals taking umbrage. It's not written as a flame post, a call-out, or an ad-hominem attack, and nor is it meant to be, but... you know how there's inevitably one person who takes it too far and starts a slanging match?

Gah. It's enough to make my brain hurt. Anyone got any ideas?

(Pic related)

https://preview.ibb.co/e1frcm/transmetropolitan.jpg

Personal opinion: just post it. If it goes nowhere, at least you tried. And if I am guessing correctly, at least I and Verminstar are up for discussing it. Then again, if its about typewriters or tattoos I'll have to step back as I know little of either.

 

[Polygonal Spaceship]

The general internet rule (I just made it up) is "Don't post a question you don't want to hear the answer to" and "Don't post an opinion unless you're prepared to hear counter-opinions"
As far as forum goes, the additional rule is "Don't bait" i.e. don't post deliberately controversial stuff.

See, that's the thing. I definitely want to hear the answer to this. I just don't want to poke the wasps' nest. As it is, I'm not 100% certain that the moderators would consider asking such a question to be wise, even if it's strictly compliant with the rules. It's not deliberate bait, but...

Personal opinion: just post it. If it goes nowhere, at least you tried. And if I am guessing correctly, at least I and Verminstar are up for discussing it. Then again, if its about typewriters or tattoos I'll have to step back as I know little of either.

Ha. No, the picture is more... allegorical. But good to know someone else may have the same question!!

 

[Chris Simon]

See, that's the thing. I definitely want to hear the answer to this. I just don't want to poke the wasps' nest. As it is, I'm not 100% certain that the moderators would consider asking such a question to be wise, even if it's strictly compliant with the rules.

To be honest, mods don't have problems with ANY quastion to be asked. It's usually other people that make a post messy enough to be locked.

 

[amigacooke]

Ask away unless it's a question that's been asked before a few times.

 

[Chris Simon]

Ask away unless it's a question that's been asked before a few times.

Yeah, I think that's the thing with most questions, here. I personally don't mind even the stupidest questions - after all, they usually well from lack of knowledge of the game and we here have the obligation to enlighten and teach.
But if it's the question that has been asked by a hundred people in the past, most "veteran" forum users can be a bit knee-jerky about it.

 

[Jenner]

If you're that concerned PM me the question and I'll give it a look.

 

[Chris Simon]

If you're that concerned PM me the question and I'll give it a look.

https://images1.phoenixnewtimes.com...979/screen_shot_2017-07-28_at_12.06.12_pm.png

You haven't chosen the most encouraging of pictures, if you ask me.

 

[verminstar]

Ye have any idea how easy it would be to ask something ye know will provoke a strong emotional response could actually technically be deemed as trolling. I dont see the harm in asking questions about things that are technically illegal, but these mods...well they gotta follow a certain set of rules which means indoor gardening enthusiasts like me cant discuss an entirely different hobby.

And yes I have been there and asked the questions anyway but not because Im trolling...if I wanted to intentionally troll someone, they wouldnt know it was me trolling them. But because I trust to my own common sense not to ask something really dumb and trust me, I can think of many dumb things to ask.

Mods are swinging the banhammer a lot more over off topic these days...either take more time to word it right and hope the fun police dont lock it before it gathers some sensible momentum, or stay curious. Ye know if its even remotely political they gonna stomp all over it.

Just started playing bulletstorm here...hahahahaha now this is looking promising to vent some bloodlust on our fellow man. Stay safe cmdr ^

 

[Polygonal Spaceship]

You haven't chosen the most encouraging of pictures, if you ask me.

Yeah, I feel like I'm about to get thrown to the lions over this one. And even if it was a more encouraging picture, do I trust the opinion of someone whose avatar looks like a concussed Smurf banging a cowbell?

(I jest. I'm actually quite grateful for the offer.)

 

[Jenner]

You haven't chosen the most encouraging of pictures, if you ask me.

 

[verminstar]

If you're that concerned PM me the question and I'll give it a look.

https://images1.phoenixnewtimes.com...979/screen_shot_2017-07-28_at_12.06.12_pm.png

I hate to point out the obvious but the gladiators fate doesnt look promising in that meme...love the meme btw ^

Dont listen to this advice op...I tried that once and asked a question about a certain illegal medicinal herb and get meself banned before half a dozen pages in...its a trap dont fall fer it and just ask the question. I promise to behave in the answer

 

[Polygonal Spaceship]

I dont see the harm in asking questions about things that are technically illegal, but these mods...well they gotta follow a certain set of rules which means indoor gardening enthusiasts like me cant discuss an entirely different hobby.

And yes I have been there and asked the questions anyway but not because Im trolling...if I wanted to intentionally troll someone, they wouldnt know it was me trolling them. But because I trust to my own common sense not to ask something really dumb and trust me, I can think of many dumb things to ask.

Where's the harm in indoor gardening? I've got a lovely Christmas cactus that's just finished blooming... about the only kind of gardening you can do in this beastly weather!

And yes. If I wanted to troll someone that badly, they wouldn't know they'd been trolled. At least not until I turned round and told them so. (I've done it before, though not here.)

 

[Chris Simon]

Yeah, I feel like I'm about to get thrown to the lions over this one. And even if it was a more encouraging picture, do I trust the opinion of someone whose avatar looks like a concussed Smurf banging a cowbell?

(I jest. I'm actually quite grateful for the offer.)

Talk to Jenner. He's one of the good ones. Definitely the friendliest scout mech you're going to find, here.

 

[Polygonal Spaceship]

Talk to Jenner. He's one of the good ones. Definitely the friendliest scout mech you're going to find, here.

When you put it that way, I'm reminded of a line from a story I once abandoned...

"This is an extremely delicate technical procedure, and I'd get it done a lot faster - and with a lot less risk of overloading the main reactor - if you'd stop antagonizing the planetary defence network."

 

[Jenner]

Talk to Jenner. He's one of the good ones. Definitely the friendliest scout mech you're going to find, here.

Lol. Thank you. I appreciate it.

And sort of on-topic, and replying to verminstar's concerns - When I moderate something I only do so after answering one simple question to myself: Could I defend the action I'm about to take to Brett and my peers on the mod team? If I'm in doubt I bring in other opinions, or just decide it's not worth it. If I'm certain that I can 100% stand behind what I'm about to do then I do it.

Same goes when I'm posting on this (or any other) forum. Can I stand behind what I'm about to say if challenged? Is it worthy of consideration? Is it constructive rather than destructive?

I make mistakes.... I'm only human after all.... but I find I make fewer goofs if I just take a minute to consider before I hit that submit button.

 

[jasonbarron]

Quit teasing us and spill it!

 

[Minonian]

"Scout mech"

Scout?

Meeeeh!

TÍiiiiimmmmmbeeeer!

 

[Polygonal Spaceship]

I make mistakes.... I'm only human after all.... but I find I make fewer goofs if I just take a minute to consider before I hit that submit button.

I think the internet would be a better place if more people did this. Post in haste, repent at leisure...

(Perhaps more people need to think on three things before posting: Thumper's advice, the founding principles of future society, and whether they're compliant with Wheaton's Law)

Quit teasing us and spill it!

Having spoken privately with Jenner, I've decided that whilst it's a legitimate enough question, it's probably a very bad idea to post. So I'm going to open a beer instead.