The Hall of Flame and Shame

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/for...wforum.php?f=40</a><br /><br /></div>We've decided to launch a read-only forum where we'll move most flaming/off-topic posts rather than deleting them (certain posts will still be deleted). I've seen this happening more and more lately: great discussions being derailed by flaming or random off-topic babbling. I'd much rather have a visitor come to this site and read a thread with useful comments on Pocket PC GPS systems than a discussion on the use of the word "esquire". We have an off-topic forum for a reason folks. ;-)<br /><br />Some thread lend themselves naturally to being goofy, so we're not going to enforce this with an iron fist on every thread, but it really disappoints me when a useful discussion becomes a threatening place for newbies to speak up in because it's turned into a flame war. It's even worse when I contribute to the flames! :oops: I think this will be a good reality check to some people if they see a good portion of their posts being moved into that forum.<br /><br />The majority of the moving of posts will be done by our community moderator, Steven Cedrone, and not even the admins on the site are above being Hall of Flame and Shame inductees (as you'll see from the what's there so far). :lol:

[Kaber]

I, for one, am glad Steven was chosen. He's got a knack for it.

[Janak Parekh]

So... how long before this thread gets hijacked and moved over to the HOFS? :lol:

Oh wait, I need to flame something first, right? How about, "Jason, I don't like your haircut?" ;) :onfire:

--janak

[Kaber]

STAY ON TOPIC JERK!




heh :wink:

[bdegroodt]

How about the Tyson fight getting called off? Can you believe it? :P

[dh]

I think the Rirath/Jason debates, which seem to occur every now and again are one of the more interesting things that go on here.

It would be great to have these two run for president and have a series of debates, not that a Canadian is allowed to. Come to that I guess I'm not allowed to either.

Hopefully the Hall of Flame will get filled up with lots of amusing stuff.

To be fair though Jason, I don't think that meandering a bit from the topic does too much harm, livens up some of the threads.

[Jason Dunn]

To be fair though Jason, I don't think that meandering a bit from the topic does too much harm, livens up some of the threads.

Yeah, I know there are no 100% rules that we can implement - everything will be judged on a case-by-base basis. I trust Steven's judgment in these matters.

[T-Will]

Is "case-by-case" supposed to have hyphens in it? What is the origin of the hyphen? Is a "dash" the same thing as a "hyphen"? Thanks ahead of time!

[Rirath]

I think the Rirath/Jason debates, which seem to occur every now and again are one of the more interesting things that go on here.

It would be great to have these two run for president and have a series of debates, not that a Canadian is allowed to. Come to that I guess I'm not allowed to either.

:rofl: And that's just the public ones. :wink:

This is hilarious. Hey, do you think I can get some kind of special access to the topic so I can just post my sure-to-be-canned comments directly? :lol: I do believe I've found a new home. :wink:

[JackTheTripper]

Thank you. Nice to see things not going unnoticed. I didn't visit for a couple of days and then couldn't even reply to my own post (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8793) because it was locked down. :evil:

Thanks! I love the site and find lots of useful information here. Keep up the good work! http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbup.gif

[jizmo]

Oh, this reminds me that all Dell users are carrying a brick and old ARM devices are better than the new ones.

/jizmo

[Foo Fighter]

Ha! Great, this is just what we need. Now I won't feel guilty about derailing a PDA discussion by switching the topic to thoughts on the "afterlife". :P

:agrue:

[Kaber]

We could always just keep this one topic going and if things go wrong in a thread you just say "MET M3 IN DA HOFS f00li0!" and continue your lamness aqui.

I just hope no one tries to subvert topics thinking they'll get thrown in here.


ps
SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!

[T-Will]

Jack, that's a rad avatar! (Sorry...a little off-topic, but in actuality is sort of on-topic since the topic is regarding off-topic posting).

[Bosco]

There's a forum for OT arguments and the NZ90 argument I started isn't in there WHY???

[Hugh Nano]

Loved the conclusion/initiation of the Jason/Rirath flame-exchange. "Worth noting/nothing"? Classic!

[dacs29]

Sorry for starting the "Esquire" discussion. :D

David

[Hugh Nano]

BTW, to contribute to the other flame-war immortalized in the new Hall of Flame and Shame... I think it's perfectly acceptable to invite other people to one's own site if there is something noteworthy and Pocket PC-related there!

On that off-topic topic, come and visit my site, http://ehewlett.net. Nothing remotely Pocket PC-related there--and not even finished yet. Keep dreaming of starting up a collection of Pocket PC freeware reviews, but haven't managed it yet...

[Kaber]

Thank you. Nice to see things not going unnoticed. I didn't visit for a couple of days and then couldn't even reply to my own post (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8793) because it was locked down. :evil:

Sorry if that was my fault. I still think it was funny, Rirath. :P

IPAQS FOREVER!!!

[Jason Dunn]

We could always just keep this one topic going and if things go wrong in a thread you just say "MET M3 IN DA HOFS f00li0!" and continue your lamness aqui.

Actually, it's read-only in there, so this is more an issue of diffusing the situation than giving people a new place to fight. :wink:

[Kaber]

We could always just keep this one topic going and if things go wrong in a thread you just say "MET M3 IN DA HOFS f00li0!" and continue your lamness aqui.

Actually, it's read-only in there, so this is more an issue of diffusing the situation than giving people a new place to fight. :wink:

Well, I guess this isn't the HoFS itself, but I said "this one topic". It ain't read only...

...yet. :twisted:

[Rirath]

How about each one gets a poll? :wink: "The true meaning of Esquire is:" etc. Just kidding of course, I love it as is. Best idea to come along in quite some time and it seems everyone's getting a kick out of it.

[texeck]

Hey, only 4 more posts Rirath - and you'll hit 1000!

[Bill Gunn]

I wonder if I could implement this in my meetings at work. "Sorry, that comment was off topic. Now shut up and leave the room! Madame Secretary- strike that man's comments from the record." Yeah, I like that.

[Gordo]

I like the idea, but would like to see the individuals have update access, and the rest of us read only. That way we could watch the flame burn and burn.

I know you are trying to but the flame out, but the entertainment value goes down.

[Kaber]

Remember in the movie A Bronx Tale when they're all playing craps and they make a bunch of the guys they think are bad luck stand in the toilet together.

...they do that at my work when you say stupid stuff.

[Jason Dunn]

BTW, to contribute to the other flame-war immortalized in the new Hall of Flame and Shame... I think it's perfectly acceptable to invite other people to one's own site if there is something noteworthy and Pocket PC-related there!

This is dicey. I'm not so insecure that I fear other Pocket PC Web sites - Pocket PC Thoughts is a content aggregator after all and we spend a lot of our time linking to content on other sites - but where do you draw the line? One URL? One image? One paragraph? One article? We've had to ban at least one Webmaster who thought it was ok to link to his images and essentially re-publish his articles inside our forums. Not cool.

And as was evidenced with that thread where GPS Passion posted, some readers of this site feel it's in poor taste to post links inside a review pointing to another site. So who do I censor? The people posting the links, the people complaining about the links being posted, or the people complaining about the people complaininging about the links? 8O

We created an announcement forum specifically to give Webmasters a place to post news about what they're up to. We also link to a fair bit of the stuff that comes in from other sites.

I had avoided making an official policy on this up until now, but it's becoming clear that I need to make one. &lt;sigh>

[Jonathon Watkins]

I had avoided making an official policy on this up until now, but it's becoming clear that I need to make one. &lt;sigh>

Growing pains Jason - this site just keeps getting bigger (and better). :D

I just got my Axim today - NICE! Smaller than my old Palm IIIc and even the LOOX. That glowing cradle is so hypnotic! 8O

[bdegroodt]

I wonder if I could implement this in my meetings at work. "Sorry, that comment was off topic. Now shut up and leave the room! Madame Secretary- strike that man's comments from the record." Yeah, I like that.

I like that idea. Probably would go over better than throwing a cup of cold water on the OTer. :D

[Kaber]

If its a review and someone (even a competing developer) chimes in with their opinion, why is that bad? How could it be bad to get more reviews of more product when you are looking to drop dollars?

I say the mods are doing a fine job moderating.

I won't say that I really understand the links arguement, cause I don't. But what I do know is that I am not employed by any site or company which should make my links suspect. When I post links it is on topic and is there to make it easy for the topic readers to get to the information I am talking about.

Unless we're talking about the couple of images of Steven the Dell Guy I've posted. Well, only one was off topic.

And I don't hate the guy, I just think when companies try to use hipster kids to sell product they are opening themselves up to ridicule.

I mean first there's the whole "BEEP BEEP BEEP it ate my paper (dude, i think that chick is high)" Switch ad from Apple. Then its the actor who plays Steven gets busted for weed.

What's next, an animated joint selling computers?

[Rob Alexander]

I had avoided making an official policy on this up until now, but it's becoming clear that I need to make one. &lt;sigh>

I don't see why you need an official policy. If someone gets out of hand, then ask them to stop. 99% of the people out here will do as you request and the other 1% wouldn't have been dissuaded by your policy anyway.

Personally, I appreciate it when someone posts links to their own, or anyone else's, sites that are relevant to a thread. If this review got me interested in GPS, I'd take what they said, then go out on the web and find out as much more as I could. If someone else reading the review had such a site and offered me a suggestion of where to go next, I'd consider it a favor.

Someone posted a link to their flashlight web site a few weeks ago when you posted about that micro-led light and that was great. I had no idea there were enthusiasts for flashlights, but now I've tucked away that URL for the next time I'm in the market for a new one.

It would, of course, be a different story if someone took every opportunity to promote their sites in unrelated threads, but you already have a way to deal with that. I agree with Kaber; the mods are doing a fine job as is. :way to go:

[Bill Gunn]

I don't see why you need an official policy. If someone gets out of hand, then ask them to stop. 99% of the people out here will do as you request and the other 1% wouldn't have been dissuaded by your policy anyway.
.... I agree with Kaber; the mods are doing a fine job as is. :way to go:

Dude, you really don't get it do you? Haven't you noticed that a large percentage of the threads started on this site are promoting "affiliates" i.e. advertisers. They can't have people comming in and linking to competing products and trashing the reviewer. Nobody pays to read this site, so you have got to expect that. It's called capitalism. If you get booked onto TechTV they're not gonna let you sit there and trash talk Charter Communications.

[st63z]

Someone posted a link to their flashlight web site a few weeks ago when you posted about that micro-led light and that was great. I had no idea there were enthusiasts for flashlights, but now I've tucked away that URL for the next time I'm in the market for a new one.


Can you share it, I'm always on the market too...

[Jason Dunn]

I don't see why you need an official policy. If someone gets out of hand, then ask them to stop. 99% of the people out here will do as you request and the other 1% wouldn't have been dissuaded by your policy anyway.
.... I agree with Kaber; the mods are doing a fine job as is. :way to go:

Dude, you really don't get it do you? Haven't you noticed that a large percentage of the threads started on this site are promoting "affiliates" i.e. advertisers. They can't have people comming in and linking to competing products and trashing the reviewer. Nobody pays to read this site, so you have got to expect that. It's called capitalism. If you get booked onto TechTV they're not gonna let you sit there and trash talk Charter Communications.

Actually Bill, if you look at many of our reviews (the RoadWired Micro-Light is a good example), people talk about and promote alternative products all the time. Truthfully, it frustrates me a little, but I gave up on it a long time ago. I've accepted the fact that if we talk about product "X" and like it enough to enter into an affiliate arrangement, someone is going to say that product "Y" is better and $5 cheaper. The majority of people care more about saving $5 than supporting sites they visit, so I try not to fight that fact and just accept it. :wink:

[Jason Dunn]

Personally, I appreciate it when someone posts links to their own, or anyone else's, sites that are relevant to a thread. If this review got me interested in GPS, I'd take what they said, then go out on the web and find out as much more as I could. If someone else reading the review had such a site and offered me a suggestion of where to go next, I'd consider it a favor.

But do you realize how out of control the threads would get if every Pocket PC webmaster was URL dropping? 8O I think most have a shred of respect to NOT do that, but I've met quite a few Webmasters who feel it's their right to URL drop whenever and wherever they want to.

My community roots are in the BBS and UseNet world, and you get traffic to your site by having it in your sig and becoming a valued member of the community, not jumping into a discussion with an URL then leaving. This discussion would be a very different one if the fellow from GPS Passion lent his expertise to the thread, don't you think? :wink:

[szamot]

I wonder if I could implement this in my meetings at work. "Sorry, that comment was off topic. Now shut up and leave the room! Madame Secretary- strike that man's comments from the record." Yeah, I like that.

this man is a genius, I have to remember this - it is absolutely priceless. Perfect for one of those thinking outside the box meetings. Too funny.

[st63z]

Speaking of an OT tangent, I just love the recent spade of IBM commercials, too funny :)

[bbarker]

Unless we're talking about the couple of images of Steven the Dell Guy I've posted. Well, only one was off topic.

And I don't hate the guy, I just think when companies try to use hipster kids to sell product they are opening themselves up to ridicule.
Am I the only person who has never seen one of those Dell ads? For a long time I wondered why everyone would use "Dude" when discussing Dell products.

[Pony99CA]

We could always just keep this one topic going and if things go wrong in a thread you just say "MET M3 IN DA HOFS f00li0!" and continue your lamness aqui.
Actually, it's read-only in there, so this is more an issue of diffusing the situation than giving people a new place to fight. :wink:
If a thread is read-only like the Hall of Flame & Shame, could you program it so that the "Post Reply" button either said "Read Only" or didn't show at all? I think it's a poor UI design that has a Post Reply button that takes you to a message saying "Sorry, only administrators can post here". The same is true of the Hot Deals forum.

By the way, can we nominate threads for the HoFS? I know I've been in some that deserve to go there. :-) Here are a few:

The pt E-Book thread (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3151) -- both the lowercase debate and the usefulness debate.
The Time-Warner Cable open WiFi thread (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1926) -- the posts were relevant, but flaming.
The wireless networking debate with DsneFmly (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8435) -- that just got nasty.
My discussion of freeware with Rirath (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6004).
Many of the Palm vs. Pocket PC threads. :-)

I don't think the esquire or gpspassion thread was worthy, personally. Both were brief (three posts) and didn't really go anywhere. There was even one post (by yunez) moved there talking about geocaching that was on-topic and not flaming. That didn't deserve to be lumped in with us. :-)

Steve