Poll: What I hate about The Escapist.

[HassEsser]

The Escapist is a great forum, moderated fairly with just moderators. I like this; keeps the forums in line.

But there is one thing the moderators and the admins can not help. One thing no one can help. And I don't think it can be fixed by any means. The Escapist's forums have become inundated. What do I mean? I mean that if a thread is posted, and it is a popular topic, it quickly surpasses the 3 page mark. This is considered by many to be a good thing, and they are well within reason to call it as such. But what is bad about this is that nearly every post after page 3 will be completely ignored, thus, responding to a hot thread becomes utterly useless, as nearly every user reads the first page, maybe the second, then continues by either posting their opinion (which won't be read) and then closing the tab that the thread occupies.

I have come to this realization months ago, and it has never really bothered me. But it has gotten to the point where I feel I need to share this with everyone, because now I only visit to check ZP, and to occasionally make posts in threads with 10 replies or less. I just don't see the point after that. Because any thread worth its salt in making my opinion known in gets overshadowed in posts.

I don't hate The Escapist, I think it is a great site, and the aforementioned problem is not the fault of The Escapist. But it is there, nonetheless.

Who agrees? Who disagrees? Is there anything else you dislike about The Escapist?

 

[CK76]

You could argue responding to any thread is "useless" depending on your expectations. If you want responses to every post, I'd suggest going to a small forum of less than 100 members. Places like that are generally very tight knit (usually niche sites) so people read nearly every post on there.

Escapist has issues any large forum does (buried threads, ignored posts, less familiarity, etc.)

 

[AkJay]

My limit is 50 posts. If I don't make one by the 50 mark, I don't post in them.

 

[lacktheknack]

I desperately hope that this topic gets ten pages of replies, just for irony's sake.

If I don't get on the first or second page, I quote someone if I want to say something.

 

[tijuanatim]

I desperately hope that this topic gets ten pages of replies, just for irony's sake.

Look I'm helping!

I sometimes feel the same way, but really I like the sound of my own voice so I'll just post a response just for the sake of posting a response. And yes. I AM reading this out loud as I type it.

 

[Pimppeter2]

I usually read the first couple of pages, then scroll for interesting posts or users. And on the last page after I post, I usually look for someone to quote later.


My main problem with the forums seems to be the increasing level of punishments for minor offenses, not the fault of the moderators, but at the people who report for the sake of reporting anything and everything they may think can be offensive to any degree to anyone. Also, I hate what appears to be a rising trend in people using other members as "personal armies" to report someone when they've been insulted.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

I agree with you mostly. There are some threads on popular topics that have people arguing with one another in the higher pages. People who are debating tend to bring new posters into the fray. The flaw with this is that it is only a matter of time until they drag someone in who doesn't have as much control over their anger and that is how a flame-war begins (In my opinion, a flame-war doesn't begin until one of the posters is directly insulted. People debate all the time. That doesn't mean they are flaming each other.).

But for the most part, yes, posts past that point tend to be ignored. Which is why I tend to post in new threads mostly.

 

[Darth_Dude]

But what are you gonna do about it? Put a limit on the amount of posts?

 

[TimeLord]

But what is bad about this is that nearly every post after page 3 will be completely ignored, thus, responding to a hot thread becomes utterly useless, as nearly every user reads the first page, maybe the second, then continues by either posting their opinion (which won't be read) and then closing the tab that the thread occupies.

Normally I read the first 2 pages or so and then once I have posted, I read the posts on the page that I posted on.

Even if a thread is 40 pages long, If you write something topical or funny, you still get quoted on it. Has happened to me many a time

 

[RooftopAssassin]

My limit is 50 posts. If I don't make one by the 50 mark, I don't post in them.

This, not because I want to be quoted, but because (chances are) what I was going to say has already been said.

 

[CK76]

Even if a thread is 40 pages long, If you write something topical or funny, you still get quoted on it. Has happened to me many a time

Or you could have an awesome avatar, so people quote you and say "awesome avatar".

 

[Pimppeter2]

If you're refering to me I already told you that I did not report that user.

I don't think its only you. But its happened way to many times to be a coincidence.

If its happening, and I'm only speculating it, I simply disprove of the behavior. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[mumakurau]

...this is less of a problem with The Escapist and more of a problem with, say, the average person's attention span. And, as you said, there's nothing we can do about it. Except mass mind control... but that makes more problems than it solves.

 

[TimeLord]

Even if a thread is 40 pages long, If you write something topical or funny, you still get quoted on it. Has happened to me many a time

Or you could have an awesome avatar, so people quote you and say "awesome avatar".

You would be amazed how many comments I have gotten about it recently. Literally every 3rd or 4th quote. It is mentioned!

You gotta love this though:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/7.199778.6553958

It made me smile

 

[Irridium]

You'd be surprised how much I seem to be quoted when I'm on page, like seven or something.

It does happen a lot though.

And if the thread is interesting, I usually read all the replies. Despite the length. But if its not interesting, like one of the many "what is your *insert noun here*".

Believe me, if a forum goes beyond medium size, that's what happens to it, it's impossible to avoid.

Still, I do read long threads when I can.

If there's anything I dislike about the Escapist, it's the flashes of elitism shown by a lot of the members, I think that's pretty much it though.

Elitism? Pah! These peasants just want to feel important. Let them have their fun for our amusement.

[sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub]Isn't sarcasm great?[/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub]

 

[Irridium]

Even if a thread is 40 pages long, If you write something topical or funny, you still get quoted on it. Has happened to me many a time

Or you could have an awesome avatar, so people quote you and say "awesome avatar".

You would be amazed how many comments I have gotten about it recently. Literally every 3rd or 4th quote. It is mentioned!

You gotta love this though:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/7.199778.6553958

It made me smile

Speaking of the avatar, how big is it actually? I've always wondered that. Its big, long, and looks amazing.

/thread derail

 

[S.R.S.]

I suppose you hate the ocean for being too salty too? In all seriousness though it's just how the forums work, there's no way to avoid it.
No one could possibly read every post, could they?
[sub][sub]What's the chance of someone reading this post?[/sub][/sub]

 

[crudus]

I have never had this problem. I always get my comments noticed by giving my opinion and then quoting someone and responding to their comment. Though I do rarely posts in topics that are more than 7 pages long since my opinion has probably already been said.

 

[Akalistos]

The Escapist is a great forum, moderated fairly with just moderators. I like this; keeps the forums in line.

But there is one thing the moderators and the admins can not help. One thing no one can help. And I don't think it can be fixed by any means. The Escapist's forums have become inundated. What do I mean? I mean that if a thread is posted, and it is a popular topic, it quickly surpasses the 3 page mark. This is considered by many to be a good thing, and they are well within reason to call it as such. But what is bad about this is that nearly every post after page 3 will be completely ignored, thus, responding to a hot thread becomes utterly useless, as nearly every user reads the first page, maybe the second, then continues by either posting their opinion (which won't be read) and then closing the tab that the thread occupies.

I have come to this realization months ago, and it has never really bothered me. But it has gotten to the point where I feel I need to share this with everyone, because now I only visit to check ZP, and to occasionally make posts in threads with 10 replies or less. I just don't see the point after that. Because any thread worth its salt in making my opinion known in gets overshadowed in posts.

I don't hate The Escapist, I think it is a great site, and the aforementioned problem is not the fault of The Escapist. But it is there, nonetheless.

Who agrees? Who disagrees? Is there anything else you dislike about The Escapist?

I disagree on the fact that if you posted something and are in my friend list, i might check it out. Not right aways but i'll come to it.

Also, My first thread that i made was my own introduction call Who are you... I made a point to respond to everyone to the best of my abilities. There people that call me on it but i manage to show them wrong. So, am i the last statistic, the wild card (so to speak) of the escapist?

 

[Akalistos]

I have never had this problem. I always get my comments noticed by giving my opinion and then quoting someone and responding to their comment. Though I do rarely posts in topics that are more than 7 pages long since my opinion has probably already been said.

You don't know, you can always bring something new to the table.