Suggestion: Merge threads

[dingal]

I adminned a vbull board for a long time and I know how easy it is and how little time it takes to merge threads.

Can we get a mod to do a quick "New posts" now and again and maybe merge the 3-4 threads on a virtually identical topic into one? BRAVERY BONUS HINT HINT.

[Angelus_dead]

I adminned a vbull board for a long time and I know how easy it is and how little time it takes to merge threads.

Can we get a mod to do a quick "New posts" now and again and maybe merge the 3-4 threads on a virtually identical topic into one? BRAVERY BONUS HINT HINT.

Merging threads on vbulletin is typically a bad idea, as it denies the ability to have more than one conversation regarding a topic. (It would make sense if the threads were something simple like "Post your favorite ice cream", but not when people are trying to analyze a complex game rule)

For the admins to merge threads might make it easier for them to skim through all the feedback, but it doesn't make the feedback more coherent and it certainly doesn't make it easier for players to hold logical discussions.

[dingal]

Merging threads on vbulletin is typically a bad idea, as it denies the ability to have more than one conversation regarding a topic. (It would make sense if the threads were something simple like "Post your favorite ice cream", but not when people are trying to analyze a complex game rule)

For the admins to merge threads might make it easier for them to skim through all the feedback, but it doesn't make the feedback more coherent and it certainly doesn't make it easier for players to hold logical discussions.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I think merging 5-10 threads all related to the bravery bonus is a good idea. Same with many other flavor of the day topics.

[sirgog]

Please never, ever merge threads.

If multiple threads on one topic annoy the moderators, just lock all but one of them, and edit the first thread to add links to those ones so people can still read them.

But most of the threads up that are similar aren't the same.


e.g. There's threads on
"My opinions on the Lamannia changes to raid boss difficulty"
"Facts and figures on the raid boss changes"
"New proposed strategies to deal with tougher raid bosses"
"Impact of the Lamannia raid boss changes to PUGgability of raids"
"Impact of the raid boss changes on the viability of XXX class in raids"

- All of these should stay separate.

Likewise there's threads on
"My opinions on the Bravery bonus"
"Strategies to optimize the Bravery bonus"
"Bravery bonus and Premium players"
"Bravery bonus and impact on PUGgers"

- All separate discussions.


I don't want to see all threads proposing Bard builds be merged into one, or even merges of threads discussing one person's Brd16/Ftr2/Rog2 warchanter and the thread I posted on my Brd16/Ftr4. Likewise we should keep discussions about related but different topics separate.

[Angelus_dead]

If multiple threads on one topic annoy the moderators

Professional-caliber moderators should be able to look beyond their personal annoyance and only lock things that are truly spammy or breaking some obvious rule.

It's a fundamental benefit of the computer revolution, from the 20th century: There is more text storage available than any number of people can possibly exhaust. They should be allowed to use it, and let a computer help navigate/summarize is, instead of restricting the data that can be collected.

If the devs want to go into a thread and say "I'm probably not reading the rest of this", they can do that too.

[dingal]

Please never, ever merge threads.

If multiple threads on one topic annoy the moderators, just lock all but one of them, and edit the first thread to add links to those ones so people can still read them.

But most of the threads up that are similar aren't the same.


e.g. There's threads on
Same Topic i.e. very close to general discussion, opinion and soapboxing
"My opinions on the Lamannia changes to raid boss difficulty"
"Impact of the Lamannia raid boss changes to PUGgability of raids"
"Impact of the raid boss changes on the viability of XXX class in raids"

Separate Topic
"Facts and figures on the raid boss changes"

Separate Topic
"New proposed strategies to deal with tougher raid bosses"



- All of these should stay separate.

Likewise there's threads on

Separate Topic
"Strategies to optimize the Bravery bonus"

Same topic, slight variation
"My opinions on the Bravery bonus"
"Bravery bonus and Premium players"
"Bravery bonus and impact on PUGgers"

- All separate discussions.


I don't want to see all threads proposing Bard builds be merged into one, or even merges of threads discussing one person's Brd16/Ftr2/Rog2 warchanter and the thread I posted on my Brd16/Ftr4. Likewise we should keep discussions about related but different topics separate.

I don't want to see builds consolidate either but I'd like to see the 180 Falchion or Greataxe? threads merged into one.

Likewise the items in RED above I think could easily be consolidated and/or kept separate where noted.

[Vellrad]

Seriously, how much threads are needed with:
-information that metas are now spell specific;
-ifnormation artificers are OP;
-I want GS deconstruct;
-what is artificers' past life feat?;
-instakill is OP
etc

[Shade]

They did this during past large updates with lots of discussion.

Was very confusing and unpopular among the players. Think they learned there lesson.