Hey guys, I'm here to address some issues I've observed for a while, and maybe discuss some new changes coming to nation. While we're at it, lets clarify some things too!
1. Double Posting in Bean Rua
There seems to have been a slight bit of a skirmish between a moderator and a member about double posting in Bean Rua. This is kinda difficult because I can't even make an official ruling on it. Double posting, for the most parts, is allowed as long as it isn't spammy in nature. But then again, a part of the moderator's job is to be a forum janitor. If they see a double post, their immediate reaction is to merge the two posts.
Sometimes, posts are split for a purpose, but we really don't know. To avoid any unnecessary problems, just try not to get upset when a moderator decides to merge/split/move posts/threads. If you want the changes reversed for whatever reason, just ask them nicely.
2. What kind of image content constitutes nsfw content
Mabination, by nature, is a 16+ user site. So we're willing to be pretty lenient on what is okay or not. Technically speaking, nation itself is a nsfw site, since it is a video game forum. You shouldn't browse it at work!
The guidelines for content of "pornographic" nature is simple. No exposure or outlining of a person's private parts. Outlining is a bit complicated, but generally you just want to avoid someone's nipples or genitals being apparent, even when covered up.
I'm considering allowing pornographic content on the art section. There already are some nsfw drawings on there. As long as the thread title warns of its content, it should be fine to post your own artworks, if it does not contain intercourse of any kind. Tell me what you think in the comments.
This is a good opportunity to remind our unaware or newer users that a hidden 18+ section does exist, but can only be accessed by approved users. This board is for serious discussions, not porn. Pornographic content can be used to aid discussions, but we expect everyone to be mature about it. If you're interested, contact Osayidan or myself via PM and we'll review your account.
3. Organizing the forums
We've discussed this before, but really shoved it aside to do "later". Might as well talk about it now!
The Games section turned out to be a bit of a flop. People's interest come and go, but the tags aren't keeping up with them. I was thinking of throwing games back in to general discussion, and just have it be for all games rather than selected games. From what I can tell, the Entertainment section is almost exclusively about video games anyways, so splitting them feels strange.
Additionally, I'm thinking of merge the Art and Food section and turning it in to a Recreational board instead. People seem to like the cooking board, but almost all of its discussions have been turned over to the What's For Dinner? thread.
Speaking of the popular threads, we will be cleaning up some stickies. Sticky threads should be stickied for informative purposes. Threads that have no chance of staying on the top of the first page while needing to be regularly read or referred to by users are stickied. "Popular" or "General" threads have no real place being stickied. If it is popular, it will keep getting bumped up to the front page. If it dies, then it is time to make a new general thread. This will help dead threads bury themselves properly, while thriving threads will receive updated thread OP content with each iteration.
4. Report tribunal initiative
This might be an horrible idea, but I want to see what everyone thinks. Almost all of my focus and efforts since becoming admin has been to make sure the staff are working on those reports, but regardless of my various steps taken, some reports keep going ignored. Oftentimes, reports that are difficult to rule on turn in to a staff discussion wherein which everyone is afraid to make a decision. Moderators will ask about other moderator's opinions, and this will juggle until the thread naturally buries itself. The report then goes unresolved.
For difficult cases such as these, what if we copied them in to a separate new board which volunteer members can access and contribute to? No one has a firm or solid say in the case, but you can all vote between "resolve" or "dismiss", and post on why you believe so. Membership will be temporary and limited, and will constantly cycle through between a line of volunteers. For the sake of keeping things fair, everyone who has no current active infraction points can volunteer.
Why this would work: We would only bring difficult cases in. For the protection of individuals involved in the report, all names would be censored. Though it is not impossible for those involved to be a part of the volunteers, or for the volunteers to find out who is involved by looking in the forums, this will help cut off a lot of impact from popular bias. Volunteers would be enforced to a nondisclosure policy. Having a larger number of pseudo moderator opinions would be really helpful in dealing with reports, and even give the community some insight as to what we deal with sometimes.
Why this wouldn't work: As mentioned earlier, it wouldn't be too difficult to identify individuals in the report and allow volunteers to get a bias on the case. They might even be judging their own case! Thankfully they will have minimal impact on what happens to the case. They might leak confidential information that shows up in the case, but if that happens we'll bar them from the volunteer team. Cycling through the volunteer members and archiving completed reports out of the board might be some manual work, but I'm willing to put up with it.
This is a very experimental suggestion and I want to know what the community and the other staff think.