Rough Draft Forum Structure Reform Plan
Below is the chart for the proposed changes to the forum layout. A lot of changes have been made and a lot of forums have will probably be merged into a more general forum that would take over its role. This is still in the planning phase so keep that in mind when commenting on it.
The idea is to put more focus on P2P and make those forums more noticeable and easily accessible, improve the layout design to make the forums easier to navigate, and to cut back on spam threads made just to up post counts which is why the spam forums would get cut.
The purpose of all the forums are pretty self explanatory, I didn’t type out all of them because they would be a lot so if there are any questions about a specific forum’s role or where something now would go then just ask.
The forum names in bold are the global sections for instance File Sharing section now and the one below are the same but the forums under it would not have any sub forums.
Sub forums would be used in general discussion forums so new sub forums could be added or merged back into the general forum that it is in as needed.
In addition to the forum changes there the following rule changes would be added:
-All posts/threads in the Zeropaid General Discussion section would not count on post counts to prevent spamming.
-Any threads or posts that are posted to spam in any other section would get deleted or move so anyone who does that would not get post credit. Post counts do not matter and this will hopefully put the focus back on quality not quantity.
-Enforcement of the no flaming rule stricter as it was in the past to curb flaming, and flame bait threads which are highly negative threads, highly biased threads that are made to get a negative response from others.
I left the mod forums out since many cant view them anyways but they would get grouped into a different section.
*Subforums are indented.
File Sharing
-Announcements/FAQ
-General P2P Discussion
-New Program/Network
-P2Politics/P2PUnited
-Zeropaid News
-Digital News-P2Problems
-Developers Corner
P2P Forums
-Bittorrent
-Direct Connect
-Edonkey/Emule
-Fast-Track/Kazaa
-Freenet
-Gnutella
-MP2P/Blubster/Piolet
-Shareaza
-WinMX
-Waste
General Discussion
-Feedback
-Lounge
-Messages(For happy birthday, post count threads and etc-General PC Discussion
-Music, Movies & Games(media related discussion, No warez)
-Linux/Mac
-Security/Privacy
-Audio & Video
I like the forum layout you listed.
This is an OK term(s) in theory, except it leaves lots of room for "certain individuals" to match statements to their own biased beliefs, and MOD in an unnecessary manner.Enforcement of the no flaming rule stricter as it was in the past to curb flaming, and flame bait threads which are highly negative threads, highly biased threads that are made to get a negative response from others
It's too subjective of an issue for just one person. I would hope to see a group effort on the part of MODs to consult with each other before making determinations with regard to this issue.
Thats perfectly fine. In fact, I wouldn't really care if Lounge posts didn't show up on the recent threads section of the front page. Post count is irrelevant. If it can be made so that posts in certain areas did not contribute to post count as well, that would be fine.-Any threads or posts that are posted to spam in any other section would get deleted or move so anyone who does that would not get post credit. Post counts do not matter and this will hopefully put the focus back on quality not quantity.
You can't triple stamp a double stamp.
This looks well thought out and workable. Ken's idea about the mod's setting an internal policy as to 'spammers, trolls, flamers, etc., is also a good idea--it will maintain objectivity. Good work, Seph--hopefully the new format will help the Mods mitigate some of the problems they have with running this site.
The first part is going back to enforcing the no flaming part of the rules as they were a while ago like last year. Its nothing new at all and its just going back to what worked before in enforcing the existing rules since we have taken a softer stance on some things and no matter how much we'd like it to work out it hasnt.Originally Posted by Ken17625
Mods do discuss things regularlly internally and has for quite a long time. Even this forum plan was discussed between mods, and the admins before i added those changes, and cleaned it up a little bit before posting it here.
Thats the idea to prevent posts in the general discussion forums would not contribute to post counts because they are irrelevant but unfortantely not to everyone.
Yeah i agree that the general discussion section shouldnt be shown on the front page. That was one of the on the fence type things and unless alot of people complain i think it would go well with the front page and put alot more focus on the p2p section.
in general p2p, put everything, without differentiations for fasttrack and gnutella(rather than them having
not like this
fasttrack
-----kazaa
------imesh
gnutella
-----limewire
-----bearshare
donkey derivative
----donkey
----mule
----overnet
cross-platform
----whatever
like this (generic catch alls)
donkey (includes all donkeyvariants)
gnutella (all variants)
dc (all variants)
fasttrack (whatever)
mp2p (etc.)
the categories don't really need to be as specific as they are
But what would be done with the smaller programs that are their own networks and wouldnt really fit into a generic forum.
Suggestion for the Non P2P threads.
As these have been a source of ire in the past due to the flame/bait/etc nature, exclude these threads from the HomePage "Recent Posts" list. That way negative thread titles would not turn some people off when visiting the site. Also those who create neg threads to bait would be discouraged by the lower visibility of their threads.
As long as you do not get rid of the recent posts list on the front page, I do not have a problem with it. Also, I sort of agree with not allowing the zp lounge posts to show up in the recent posts section, to a point. I mean, this is a p2p site, but ppl wanna chill sometimes, and I personaly just look at the front page.
edit: For p2p proggies like aries that connect to its own network, just make a forum called like other p2p programs discution or something to that effect.
Since it looks like there isnt alot of complaints so everything under the General Discussion section wouldnt appear on the front page.
Ill put the changes into it tommrow after enough people respond. Ill try the different structure too because it would work nicer.
You might consider having a VIP Corner as a reward for those who've hit ?a thousand posts? or more, and designate this section for serious/technical discussions related to file sharing, or whatever the top people at ZP would/should discuss in your estimation.
The problems with that is that it would encourage people to spam, and would be seen as playing favorites. I think it would send a bad message, and i dont see what the "top posters" need to post in private that no one else but them could see.
You're right on second thought. I was trying to figure out a way in which the top posters would be acknowledged--but that would probably seem exclusive and against the grain of ZP's theme. I was always confused by the Lounge vs. VIP lounge--they always seemed synonymous to me.
They are, its not special in any way.
i think we need a hardware section ;)
and maybe a general software discussion area, for non-p2p related stuff like winamp.
uh, in the pc related, put the hardware... and make a windows subsection, keep mac and linux seperate...
nsap @ filesharingtalk.com
Linux and Mac grouped together? Say it aint so.
.
" I rode into Salt Lake City prepared to do my journalistic duty and arouse the public ire against polygamy. However, when I saw how ugly were the Mormon women, I realized that the men who marry, not one, but many of them, are Latter Day Saints indeed and deserving of the praise and gratitude of all mankind." Mark Twain
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