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0 Subject: Best Practices

Posted by: Guru
- [330592710] Sun, Feb 20, 19:31

The following ideas were generated at the previous message forum, shortly after the introduction of Smallworld's own forum. Because there was an influx of new forum visitors, and because the caliber of the posts at the SW forum was not up to RotoGuru standards, these ideas were generated as a means to help all users get the most out of their message forum experience.

Clearly, all users are welcome to post messages as long as they are not profane or abusive. Gurupies are usually very willing share their opinions and offer help. But we try to do it in a way that helps everyone learn, rather than just spoon-feeding answers.

Hopefully, new users will consider the ideas presented below. Those who follow these general guidelines will always be welcome additions to the forum.

Guru
User ID: 3160124
Jan 22nd 10:05 AM
With a recent influx of new users, some oldtimers have suggested that I post a "Rules of the Road" item which would suggest how newcomers (and oldtimers) can take maximum advantage of this message forum resource.

I don't know whether that's a worthwhile exercise or not. But before deciding, I though I'd at least solicit some feedback as to what this item might say.

For example, here are some possible "DO's":
- Ask specific questions, and suggest what your proposed solution(s) would be, and why you are thinking that way. Then ask for feedback. Don't just post your roster and ask "What moves should I make?"

- Before posting a question or comment, scan through the other threads to see whether the topic has already been raised. If so, add to it there.

- If you disagree with someone's opinion or comment, express your disagreement without personal attacks. When you include statements like "You moron", many will immediately discount the message you are trying to deliver.

- When you start a new thread, try to pick a Topic that is descriptive of the subject matter. Threads that are titled "Read This!" or "Help needed" do not encourage others to look inside.


Possible "DONT's":
- Don't impersonate other users. Usually, your ID# will uniquely identify you. In the event of a duplicate ID#, your IP address is still recorded, and you will be discovered.

- Don't carry on artificial conversations with yourself, under different names. Again, this is easily and quickly detected.

I could go on, but the point of this thread is to get other ideas from you. I don't want to stifle free expression. But it might not hurt to establish some behavioral norms and suggest ways to promote greater efficiency.<
Ender
User ID: 9711993
Jan 22nd 10:13 AM
Behavioral norms are always good. I have been reading the boards for a little while and have managed to pick up on the above UNWRITTEN do's and don't's. I think it is a good idea to put these in writing for new users.

I would include something about profanity and mention that it is filtered as well.

I teach 8th grade math at a public school and have introduced some of my students to this site because I believe they can actually learn from the analysis that takes place here. Some of them have figured out that there is more to the CNNSI game than just having cool players. I would like to see these boards stay mature and sophisticated than have them become shallow and immature.

OH, and before you think they might be some of the knuckle heads behaving absurdly, these guys are upstanding students whom I trust :)
jedman
User ID: 0331974
Jan 22nd 10:22 AM
I think you succinctly laid out a good road map at the top of this thread. If everybody would follow that, even we "old-time" gurupies would be better posters.
Pistol Pete
User ID: 1007814
Jan 22nd 10:32 AM
Suggest to newbies that they lurk awhile before posting. After a week of probing around the MB, you'll have a better understanding of the responses you may get and how you might contribute here. Then choose a "unique" handle (not just "Doug" or whatever) and have fun. (Fun should be a rule, sometimes it gets forgotten).
Pond Scum
User ID: 9196513
Jan 22nd 11:00 AM
This is great!

An additional tip would be to add value to the thread by supporting questions or opinions with some research. At a minimum, this saves other people time by bringing the key data together. Beyond this, I think the best posts have gone beyond the obvious data and presented some really creative and compelling analysis.
devils1
User ID: 9969773
Jan 22nd 4:53 PM
I just wanted to post a quick thank you to QB and Guru for your work here. I am a newbie here (but not to message boards in general) and was quite surprised to see some of the same rudeness I saw at the SW boards. I think the rules of the road listed above are quite good.

A simple rule of the road that encompasses everything is "Either contribute to the discussion with a meaningful post, or stay out of it."

I can see the point several Gurupies made about not posting a team list and asking for suggestions. Such posts contribute nothing and simply constitute requests for others to do your work. I have posted a couple of requests for suggestions, most recently what to do with Webb and Sura when I only have one trade and want Cassell back 1/26, but I don't think such requests are of the same flavor. Please correct me if I'm wrong :-)

I'm sure things will settle down as newbies pick up on the nature of the boards here and as regulars get used to dealing with them.

Thanks again; I've learned quite a bit about fantasy play since coming here after reading of this site at SWH. I look forward to next season when I might have a chance to contend!
skinneej
User ID: 0743024
Jan 22nd 5:16 PM
Welcome to the board, devils1. With the good always comes some of the bad. We anticipated an influx of people from the SW board, but it is worth it to add someone like yourself. The others will get bored and go away after time. Occasionally a bad seed will pop up here and there, but for the most part the folks that frequent this board are courteous, intelligent people. We look forward to having you join us.
devils1
User ID: 9969773
Jan 22nd 5:48 PM
Thanks, skinneej. You were one of the first people other than QB and Guru that I identified as a regular. I've already learned alot from your posts. Steve Houpt's analysis has been enlightening as well. Hopefully as I gain experience I will be able to contribute strategy-wise. People would probably ignore me anyway due to my WWR!
HuskerFan
User ID: 3173504
Jan 23rd 5:15 AM
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank everyone here for this great site. When I first saw the messages at Small World I thought the gurupies that posted seemed elitist--since someone used that term earlier--as it seemed that they assumed anyone that posted intelligently there was a gurupie. Because of that, and the fact that I like to think I have done fairly well for myself as a rookie manager doing all my own research and hovering around WWR 1000 all season, I didn't rush over to visit this site. Now, after having read the forums for a few days I am glad I did check it out! There is lots of valuable info here. Thanks a lot for everything
steve houpt
User ID: 8520773
Jan 23rd 11:25 AM
Welcome Husker's Fan, devils1 and Ender. A lot of people may not realize the message forum did not start til last June. Before then we did have the stats (without the LEXUS additions), the daily blurbs, e-mails to Guru's feedback column and the different hoop, baseball and football articles.

I think he started this forum because he got tired of reading my feedback e-mails.

Enjoy the game and the message board.
Fivalive
User ID: 0060104
Jan 23rd 7:48 PM
I support a "rules of the road" refresher. I don't think anyone will get offended-- most of us have learned this stuff through trial and error so letting the newbies in on the secrets early can only help these boards because more of them will begin constructively contributing earlier in their gurupiedom-- only thing I'd recommend adding to the guidelines is best way to deal with an un-gurupie post is to ignore it...

and as always-- keep up the good work-- the effort of Guru and the moderators makes all the difference...
Richard
User ID: 2860674
Jan 23rd 10:07 PM
I just wanted to add a suggestion on how to post. If you want to respond to a specific individual, rather than the group as a whole, it's nice to put their name (handle) in your opening sentence. Sometimes it is hard to tell who a post is aimed at and this might help some of us keep track, especially in the multi-threaded, multi-topic threads. Just a friendly suggestion.

Richard
7Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Sat, Feb 26, 2005, 16:51
Another "best practice": Don't fill up a bunch of different forums with copies of essentially the same post, hoping to attract a greater audience. Pick the most appropriate forum, and go with it.
8Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Mon, Jan 23, 2006, 14:07
BUTT
9Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Tue, Mar 07, 2006, 12:02
BUTT (clearing out a recent spam post as the latest post)
10Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Wed, Feb 14, 2007, 15:04
ditto
11Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Tue, Aug 26, 2008, 13:02
Just another BUTT to clear out some inappropriate posts from this forum.
12Guru
      ID: 330592710
      Tue, Mar 16, 2010, 08:47
re-BUTT-al
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