How to give the community itself a boost?

[Que]

Hello ladies and gentlemen. Today I wondered, frankly questioned how we let the community slowly sink down to the bottom. After three years of playing; the activity in-game is still good, maybe even better than before. Although if you quickly browse through the forum, it has been slowly affected with a disease. Let me explain a little more properly.

- SA:MP General
This category was the main section of the forum almost a year ago. If you look at it now, the only thing I see is locked topics and random bots spamming our precious forum. It's almost like the Nevada desert. Every topic (almost) is being locked whenever an argument comes up, or whenever any sort of confrontation/disagreement pops up.

- Politics and Religion
Another amusing category that pretty much got removed by racism and arguments. This category was even though the hard words, the best category within this community. Why? Because it was simply about something else than Grand Theft Auto, it was about important and world-wide stuff. 

- "Hello" Topics
Nowadays, every hello topic is made by Box3r (yo bro), iMunna or Junaid (yo bro). What happened to all these REAL new players who actually wrote "hello"-topics to get a friendly puff on their shoulder? We frankly embraced these fellow new players whenever they entered the forum in the past, now I see an obnoxious attitude, example: Click me!

- Unban Requests Section [SA:MP]
In the late past, we were able to post our thoughts in unban requests, comment and discuss whether we had something to say that was important. To be sincere, there was a lot of unnecessary "good lucks" and cross-eyed incidents here as well. But it was also a very good way to express what you had to say. Another alternative could be to ban or obscure just this part of the forum for the people who could not behave properly in this section.

- Trolls
Oh yeah, our fantastic wannabe SA:MP trolls. Wherever you're looking, you will find one. None of them are clever, that's the funny part. It's only a bunch of hard-headed computer dudes with these big glasses somewhere in the dark forest, trying to find themselves. Anyway, this "type" of trolling had its peak almost two years ago, and is nowadays pretty usual to see in each topic. For me, this type of behaviour should not be tolerated, whether it's in-game or on the forum.

Above, I stated a few things that popped up in my mind. I find it important to discuss the matter of these things, and therefore I made the topic. Contribute with ideas, thoughts or whatsoever to give the community itself a boost once again. Some of you might say that RS5 is coming out soon, yet again, RS5 is nothing more than a completely new script in-game. It doesn't occur on the forum, nor changing the players.

Shoot!

[jinjifliaktor]

Sad but true.

[Zaila]

- Trolls
Oh yeah, our fantastic wannabe SA:MP trolls. Wherever you're looking, you will find one. None of them are clever, that's the funny part. It's only a bunch of hard-headed computer dudes with these big glasses somewhere in the dark forest, trying to find themselves. Anyway, this "type" of trolling had its peak almost two years ago, and is nowadays pretty usual to see in each topic. For me, this type of behaviour should not be tolerated, whether it's in-game or on the forum.

I completly agree with you on this part. I would love seeing zero tolerance against the 'trolls' here.

[9r2e5i3k]

How about some points regarding the game itself...

First, attitude towards new players.
When new players first join they're mostly ignored. If they ask for help, they're just dismissed with only mentioning a related command (if answered at all). For example, if a new player joins and asks how to be a cop - no regular will pick him up and explain him basic rules how should cop work be done. Yet even if a player manages to go on /duty and shoot someone (not knowing the rules, because no one explained to him), he will instantly be called an "abuser", as if he's breaking the rules on purpose. Most players are just ignorant and will blame the cops or admins for not teaching players, though they are first to moan about abusers.

Second, attitude towards players oustide one's group.
Back in the day you could just go in-game, check the chat if anything interesting was going on, then go there and just join in the scenario and role-play. Players had a more friendly approach to anyone showing up, unlike nowadays - most "characters" are aggressive and unwelcoming; whenever I walk up to some gang or group, the most common reaction towards me is "what are you doing here, get out of here".


I'll rant some more later.

[Chris_Knight]

I guess most 3 warm welcoming places for newbies are "proper" gang such as NBA wich never sits on one place "Frank" exceptional ,offering amazing roleplays and at end you might even receive som weed to sell on streets to have more things to do than just stay at hood  ,58 is awsome too yet they wouldn't pickup unexpierienced player from street "my opinion tho" , then comes EMS/FD little group,I've my self been whit those firefighters for long time around,they are friendly,working as a team and official FD of argo are doing amazing job with teaching newcomers not only to rp during training but real firefighter knowledge. And then comes Police departments,every newbie at som point are future of any kinda of department so all of them are warm welcomed in patrols,where they can teach basics about traffic stops,respondings,proper shooting,couple codes . So it's not that bad as you say just not always neewbies gets in proper locations or proper groups 

[Murt]

- SA:MP General
This category was the main section of the forum almost a year ago. If you look at it now, the only thing I see is locked topics and random bots spamming our precious forum. It's almost like the Nevada desert. Every topic (almost) is being locked whenever an argument comes up, or whenever any sort of confrontation/disagreement pops up.

We need something to prevent these spambots making forum accounts and spamming every section with nosense shit really, I report them on a daily basis to the forum administration all the time when I see a topic from a spambot.

- Politics and Religion
Another amusing category that pretty much got removed by racism and arguments. This category was even though the hard words, the best category within this community. Why? Because it was simply about something else than Grand Theft Auto, it was about important and world-wide stuff. 

This was disallowed due that members of the community couldn't control themself, they started to provoke, flame, insult and disrespect others nationalities. I don't even know why they drag in nationalities and can't control their temper when it's a game on an online forum.

I don't have any problem discussing it since I am calm in most situations. World-wide stuff is always good to discuss, even share some of your own minds about things and maybe share the opinions. Get the answers for those who live on that side of the world.

- "Hello" Topics
Nowadays, every hello topic is made by Box3r (yo bro), iMunna or Junaid (yo bro). What happened to all these REAL new players who actually wrote "hello"-topics to get a friendly puff on their shoulder? We frankly embraced these fellow new players whenever they entered the forum in the past, now I see an obnoxious attitude,

I would say this, forum ban the trolls on the forum that troll the new players that actually write a hello topic and introduce themself to the community. They could get a forum ban for 30 days and they would learn that behaviour like that is not acceptable.

- Unban Requests Section [SA:MP]
In the late past, we were able to post our thoughts in unban requests, comment and discuss whether we had something to say that was important. To be sincere, there was a lot of unnecessary "good lucks" and cross-eyed incidents here as well. But it was also a very good way to express what you had to say. Another alternative could be to ban or obscure just this part of the forum for the people who could not behave properly in this section.

I think the system they change to that only administrators and above can post there is good enough. As you mentioned Que, there was to much posthunters that only wrote good luck. Even in that section we had the trolls who tried to provoke, disrespect and flame the players who requested an unban. They were actually really mean towards the player who requested the unban. Maybe an example, "f*ck u murt, u don't belong here and don't deserve an unban". Those things did I see in many unban requests topic really...

If you are witness to an incident or want to share something that is important to the unban request of that particular player. Send an administrator a forum PM and let him post on your behalf.

- Trolls
Oh yeah, our fantastic wannabe SA:MP trolls. Wherever you're looking, you will find one. None of them are clever, that's the funny part. It's only a bunch of hard-headed computer dudes with these big glasses somewhere in the dark forest, trying to find themselves. Anyway, this "type" of trolling had its peak almost two years ago, and is nowadays pretty usual to see in each topic. For me, this type of behaviour should not be tolerated, whether it's in-game or on the forum.

I say we should remove the trolls on the forum and forum ban them for a minimum of a month really. Then they know they don't deserve to be on this forum...

[Gimli]

It has always amazed me how lots and lots of people apply for moderator, however fail to help new players with basic questions like "how do I change my skin?"..

[McGarrett]

I fully agree on these points.

Another point is the "Respect everyone" part. Whenever it is forums or IG. Yesterday, it was a player that said "(name) = gay?" and it was talked alot about. Calling people gay as a joke is even a very senitive offensive. It is the same as harrasing

[Clone]

Simple solution for the bots, add a capcha required for every post.

[Ted]

It has always amazed me how lots and lots of people apply for moderator, however fail to help new players with basic questions like "how do I change my skin?"..

I gave you help in that department early this morning...
Back to the topic in hand. Why is this posted in the SA:MP section when there are other points that regard the Argonath community as a whole?

[Mashgash]

It has always amazed me how lots and lots of people apply for moderator, however fail to help new players with basic questions like "how do I change my skin?"..

I fully agree with your, Que.
New players are being greeted like they are useless, we have some players within the community, 'normal' players that can help any new player that may ask. I myself meeting new players as a CMB, I can't actually see what's hard to help a player. Instead of making them looks like fools, answer at their questions.

About the politican part, I myself thinking it's pretty 'fun' to discuss it. But the world today isn't up for discussions, we can't think other thoughts without to be called moaners. Forums are created for discussions, then why can't we discuss? I understand if the discussions turning to personally harrasments and similar things but atleast let us discuss about something...

[Que]

Back to the topic in hand. Why is this posted in the SA:MP section when there are other points that regard the Argonath community as a whole?

It was posted here because the largest part of this community is SA:MP players. It was also posted under this section just to make people use it again.

About the politican part, I myself thinking it's pretty 'fun' to discuss it. But the world today isn't up for discussions, we can't think other thoughts without to be called moaners. Forums are created for discussions, then why can't we discuss? I understand if the discussions turning to personally harrasments and similar things but atleast let us discuss about something...

I rather see harder rules and more people banned for misbehaviour than closing and locking.

[stormeus]

I rather see harder rules and more people banned for misbehaviour than closing and locking.

If the community in general can't handle a mature conversation, I can understand. If it's the same two or three people saying "your religion is crap," then I see no reason why not to delete their posts and ban them. Same with unban requests.

Agreed with the other points made.

[Daniel_Bradford]

For example, if a new player joins and asks how to be a cop - no regular will pick him up and explain him basic rules how should cop work be done.

Sorry to say but you're wrong, I teach players on how to be a cop or whatever else they want to do when they ask. I hope I'm not the only one to do that It's just a way to thank you the many people who help me to grow up at the beginning ..

[Ted]

Topics are locked when the question or questions have been answered in such cases there is no need to keep such a topic open. They are also locked when a topic is going far off track and will quite clearly never go back on track.

In the Unban Requests Section you say "But it was also a very good way to express what you had to say" "Post our thoughts" That is not always a good thing and is one good reason why it should be kept as it is. Someone gets banned quite rightly for a major rule break a friend comes along and posts their thoughts you can expect what will go down there... insults towards the server, rules, banning administrator etc it can go on and on. Not everyone is like that but there are always a few. I remember having to syphon through all the useless (pardon my language here as I don't swear often) shite, page after page of the stuff before i could read what the banned person typed.

I'm still sticking to my guns that this should be in speakerbox as the community doesn't consist of SA:MP only players however large the base is over here.