Shoot, why'd ya go and close the "Describe it in three words" thread?

[Elendil's Heir]

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...0&page=1&pp=50

Just closed by SkipMagic, durnburnit. Too soon, says I. That was a fun thread, and quite a few people were still regularly posting in it.

He wrote:

Mod Note:
Thirty-one pages is quite a bit for a game. And since we have a surplus of games going on in MPSIMS, I'm afraid we'll be closing some of the older, longer game threads.

Isn't 31 pages simply a reflection of its popularity? Who says there's a "surplus"? Why close it down?

[SkipMagic]

Since this is a thread questioning a mod decision, I've moved it to the Pit.

As for why I closed it... we purposely limit the number of on-going game threads because they aren't central to the mission of the board. Yes, I know, neither are a lot of other threads, but game threads (especially ones without a specific end) aren't even central to the purpose of MPSIMS. We currently allow a few at a time because they are popular, but when they reach a lot of pages (typically double-digits) and start hogging the front page real estate of MPSIMS, they tend to get closed. We even have a sticky in MPSIMS addressing this issue.

[CairoCarol]

Shoot, why'd ya go and close the "Describe it in three words" thread?

Too Much Traffic.

[SnakesCatLady]

He closed the song lyrics thread, too. I guess we were having too much fun.

[enigm4tic]

Originally Posted by SnakesCatLady

He closed the song lyrics thread, too. I guess we were having too much fun.

The Music Died.

[Heffalump and Roo]

He also closed the Family Feud thread. I don't play in any of those. I'm just pointing out the games that were closed since that seems to be the theme of this thread.

[Abby_Emma_Sasha]

Well, shit. I was having fun in the FF thread. This sucks mightily.

[Liberal]

Too popular? You mean you actually prefer unpopular threads?

[Sage Rat]

Insert New Coin

[Ludovic]

Originally Posted by Sage Rat

Insert New Coin

Game Over, Man!

[rayh]

Originally Posted by Ludovic

Game Over, Man!

Abort, Retry, Ignore?

[Annie-Xmas]

Hey, we weren't finished yet. There are lots of words we didn't use yet!

[rayh]

Originally Posted by Annie-Xmas

Hey, we weren't finished yet. There are lots of words we didn't use yet!

Never ending thread.

[GawnFishin']

Songs sung blue

Or

Screw you Skipper.


ETA: I guess I must be the one responsible for the closing of the Song thread as Skip did link to the thread about post count padding and I had started to increase my post count dramatically by playing this 'game' over the past week. Way to go Skip.

[MadTheSwine]

Originally Posted by Abby_Emma_Sasha

Well, shit. I was having fun in the FF thread. This sucks mightily.

Yeah,me too.

Guess the Blue team wins.

[hocow]

Red was ahead at the close of the thread.

WE won, dammit.

[What Exit?]

In a way, I am relieved. I needed someone else to step up and take over the hosting duties of the Family Feud thread soon anyway. It was fun while it lasted. I am glad Idle Thoughts had started it.

Skip, one minor note, we were in the middle of a game, but at least you let us complete a round.

Jim

[Elendil's Heir]

Well, I'm still annoyed. I may wait a week and start another "Describe it in three words" thread.

[BoBettie]

I have to say- I don't have a dog in this fight, but the logic of closing a popular, fun thread completely escapes me. A new one will probably be opened with the same game in no time. I understand "hogging front page real estate" and you don't want the same 5 threads at the top of the page forever, but hell, that might be why a lot of people are visiting that forum to begin with. I dunno. It just seems really weird to me.

I really to think there should have been a "games" forum added when the boards were changed around years back. It would have been a great place for people to discuss WOW, board games, and play games like this without crowding out people in MPSIMS.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by BoBettie

I really to think there should have been a "games" forum added when the boards were changed around years back. It would have been a great place for people to discuss WOW, board games, and play games like this without crowding out people in MPSIMS.

My understanding is they tolerate the game threads and have no wish to encourage them. Perhaps I am wrong, but that is my strong impression from the stated rules and way they close game threads from time to time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I am curious, why did the Werewolf/Mafia games escape the Lock?
Is there some sort of criteria of what is too mundane?
I would think the Family Feud thread actually had some educational value, I can't speak to the others.

[Autolycus]

He's anti-fun IMO >_>

[SnakesCatLady]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

My understanding is they tolerate the game threads and have no wish to encourage them. Perhaps I am wrong, but that is my strong impression from the stated rules and way they close game threads from time to time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I am curious, why did the Werewolf/Mafia games escape the Lock?
Is there some sort of criteria of what is too mundane?
I would think the Family Feud thread actually had some educational value, I can't speak to the others.

I e-mailed and asked why the song lyrics thread was closed; especially since the Werewolf/Mafia games are only open to a set (and decreasing) number of Dopers. I was referred to the sticky regarding game threads. I don't think anyone was posting to the song lyrics thread to pad their post counts; the thing read like an epic poem!

And I may not have much of a life, but I don't even know what my post count is; I never look.

I just hate to see a fun thread shut down because it was popular. If a thread isn't popular it sinks and dies. If it is popular, it gets closed. Something is wrong with this picture.

[JpnDude]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

In a way, I am relieved. I needed someone else to step up and take over the hosting duties...

Yes, thanks for being a wonderful host of the Family Feud game with interesting topics and even more interesting "answers on the board." And, of course, a special mention to Twickster who took over after Idle Thoughts.

JpnDude

[GawnFishin']

Originally Posted by What Exit?

I am curious, why did the Werewolf/Mafia games escape the Lock?
Is there some sort of criteria of what is too mundane?
I would think the Family Feud thread actually had some educational value, I can't speak to the others.

Good questions the Werewolf a game Part 2 (this time with MAFIA!) has over 3400 posts and I'm assuming (because I hadn't read it) that posting in it is pretty much limited to players of that game much like I had assumed for the Family Fued, however the describe it in three word and Lyric response threads seemed to be open to evey one to post in, and these last two threads combined don't have any where near 3400 posts. So I'm confused. I had read the Sticky thread that Skipper had mention in his closing of the threads and it mainly dealt with the use of resources. However that thread was last update in 2004 long before the new server. So again I'm curious, though maybe the recent problems have had something to do with this, I don't know. Maybe we just need to dedicate ass many resources as possible to fighting ignorance. It's taking so long because of all these game threads keep causing the server to crash???

[Cervaise]

Originally Posted by Elendil's Heir

I may wait a week and start another "Describe it in three words" thread.

Good Luck, Chief.

[GawnFishin']

Ass many resources Should be as many resources and I edited I truely did.

[SkipMagic]

I'm not sure whose e-mail you were reading, SnakesCatLady, but it wasn't mine. When I responded to your PM, I replied with this:

Originally Posted by SkipMagic

I'm sorry, SnakesCatLady, but the lyrics thread just had no end in sight; and with a page count of 11 pages, it was time. MPSIMS just isn't built as a game forum (nor do we want it to become one), so all of these excess games were taking up too much front page real estate. In the future I think a new one can be started, but just not now.

I made no reference to post count padding in any of my replies, and do not intend to do so with these closed threads. The sticky deals with both game threads and post count padding, and even though they, at times, can be the same thing, I didn't make that accusation. In this thread and in my closing remarks I pointed to the sticky solely for the part about game threads.

MPSIMS is an incredibly fast-moving forum, so when certain threads start appearing on the front page again and again, we consider how old the threads are, the number of participants, the number of pages already reached, whether there is a foreseeable end, and whether they fit into the purpose of MPSIMS or the SDMB as a whole. We want to make sure as many threads as possible have the chance to be seen; it's more difficult to do so when the same old threads always appear at the top, shoving the newer threads to the second page.

I left the Mafia threads open because they definitely have an end. We've allowed two of them at the same time on a trial basis because they are, indeed, very popular; however, once they end, we'll be going back to one Mafia thread at a time. Not because they're popular (as so many seem to think), but because it's unfair to other threads--including other game threads--for them to take up so much time on the front page.

In the end, though, and as has been mentioned before, MPSIMS isn't a game forum. We allow them, but we don't neccesarily encourage them, and have no plans to do so at this point.

[Gadarene]

Not because they're popular (as so many seem to think), but because it's unfair to other threads--including other game threads--for them to take up so much time on the front page.

I can't imagine that this is actually a problem. But whatever. Here in the brave new world of "eight searches in four minutes crashes the boards," nothing much surprises me about the logic of the highers-up anyhow.

[SkipMagic]

Originally Posted by Gadarene

I can't imagine that this is actually a problem.

The Mafia/Werewolf threads currently generate two threads per game: one for the game itself, and a second for the dead players and non-participatory on-lookers. So, with two Mafia threads currently running, we get a total of four related threads. Add to that the three game threads that I closed and the new game thread that just popped up last night, and we have eight threads devoted to games.

One of the threads I closed had been going since January and had 31 pages; another that had been going since March and had 25 pages; and the third one had eleven pages in a little over three weeks. None of them had an end in sight, and all of them had a good run. It was time for newer threads to have the chance at center stage.

We're not saying that similar games can't be opened in the future, but we are saying that it was time to temporarily give it a rest.

[Quiddity Glomfuster]

So why not start a game forum?

[LilyoftheValley]

Well played to close them all right after the membership renewal deadline. ::slowclap::

Thanks for the Family Feud game all; and in case others were wondering, it was open to new players.

[SkipMagic]

Originally Posted by LilyoftheValley

Well played to close them all right after the membership renewal deadline. ::slowclap::

Absolutely. It was nothing more than evil machinations that led me to close the game threads. Past procedures, stated purpose of the forum and a sticky that's been around since 2003 had nothing to do with it. Pardon me for a moment as I now need to twirl my mustache.

Originally Posted by Quiddity Glomfuster

So why not start a game forum?

We've actually been discussing it. A decision hasn't been made yet, but we'll let everyone know.

[Gadarene]

Add to that the three game threads that I closed and the new game thread that just popped up last night, and we have eight threads devoted to games.

Out of what I count to be forty-seven threads on the first page of MPSIMS (at least in my display). Forgive me if I don't express horror at such a prospect. (In any case, y'all moved the Mafia onlooker threads from IMHO---where they were doing just fine---to MPSIMS in the first place, thus exacerbating the "problem.")

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by SkipMagic

We've actually been discussing it. A decision hasn't been made yet, but we'll let everyone know.

Really? That is good news. I am pleasantly surprised. Can you tell us if the Sports Forum concept is at least under discussion, or is that one hopeless?

I thank you for going into more detail of why the threads are closed. I am not sure I agree with the reasoning, but at least it makes a little more sense.*

Jim


* The twirling of the mustache really helped to explain it all.

[Gadarene]

Absolutely. It was nothing more than evil machinations that led me to close the game threads. Past procedures, stated purpose of the forum and a sticky that's been around since 2003 had nothing to do with it. Pardon me for a moment as I now need to twirl my mustache.

Excluded middle, Skip.

[GawnFishin']

Originally Posted by SkipMagic

I'm not sure whose e-mail you were reading, SnakesCatLady, but it wasn't mine. When I responded to your PM, I replied with this:I made no reference to post count padding in any of my replies, and do not intend to do so with these closed threads. The sticky deals with both game threads and post count padding, and even though they, at times, can be the same thing, I didn't make that accusation. In this thread and in my closing remarks I pointed to the sticky solely for the part about game threads.

Which mention the strain on resources more than anything and also points to the fact that...

Originally Posted by UncleBeer

The boards are slow and there's nothing on the horizon that's gonna change it.

Guess what that was in 2003 and we've had a few changes since then Skippy. Maybe it's about time that particular sticky got a serious update then.

Originally Posted by SkipMagic

I left the Mafia threads open because they definitely have an end. We've allowed two of them at the same time on a trial basis because they are, indeed, very popular; however, once they end, we'll be going back to one Mafia thread at a time. Not because they're popular (as so many seem to think), but because it's unfair to other threads--including other game threads--for them to take up so much time on the front page.

In that case if the other threads in question had reach somewhere NEAR 69 pages as opposed to the 10 pages of the Lyric response thread then I may have been inclined to agree with you. However responses to the Lyric thread were starting to slow down. Blind Freddy could have reasoned that it was coming to an end I personally don't think it stood much chance of reaching 20 pages but whatewver.

Originally Posted by SkipMagic

In the end, though, and as has been mentioned before, MPSIMS isn't a game forum. We allow them, but we don't neccesarily encourage them, and have no plans to do so at this point.

Then the answer is to terminate all of them and prohibit them all together. But I'm going to guess that won't be at all popular.

[GawnFishin']

Originally Posted by SkipMagic

One of the threads I closed had been going since January and had 31 pages; another that had been going since March and had 25 pages; and the third one had eleven pages in a little over three weeks. None of them had an end in sight, and all of them had a good run. It was time for newer threads to have the chance at center stage.

Three weeks??? In my world 04-20-2007 to now is um let me count the days all twelve of them 7 days to a week. God wake up no wonders it's taking so long to fight all of this ignorance. Now repeat after me there are 7 days in a week so three weeks is come on you know the answer. 7 x 3=??

[SkipMagic]

Heh. Yeah, for some reason I was looking back at the 6th instead of the 20th. My apologies.

[GawnFishin']

Originally Posted by SkipMagic

Heh. Yeah, for some reason I was looking back at the 6th instead of the 20th. My apologies.

Shit, ok forgiven for that one mistake.

In light of what your saying here though I think that sticky is way too far out of date an is in serious need of an updated replacement.

[Frank]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

Can you tell us if the Sports Forum concept is at least under discussion, or is that one hopeless?

If (if, if, if, if, if, if, if ,if) a games forum were created, it would also become the new default home for sports discussion, as well as discussion of board games, checkers, chess, and golf.

Baseball discussions would still be Great Debates material, of course.

[GawnFishin']

Originally Posted by Frank

If (if, if, if, if, if, if, if ,if) a games forum were created, it would also become the new default home for sports discussion, as well as discussion of board games, checkers, chess, and golf.

I think this would be a good idea.

Originally Posted by Frank

Baseball discussions would still be Great Debates material, of course.

Get a life. Though I think a cricket forum is long overdue.

[Gadarene]

If (if, if, if, if, if, if, if ,if) a games forum were created, it would also become the new default home for sports discussion, as well as discussion of board games, checkers, chess, and golf.

That would be awesome.

[SkipMagic]

Originally Posted by GawnFishin'

Which mention the strain on resources more than anything and also points to the fact that...

A strain on resources is still an issue for the moment. Since our database is currently limited in size (a backend techinical issue with which I am not involved and about which I can't answer any questions), game threads face the same restrictions. But, you're right. We could probably do with some sticky updates in that forum.

Then the answer is to terminate all of them and prohibit them all together. But I'm going to guess that won't be at all popular.

Hell, not if I value my life. I mean, if closing three threads is this unpopular, I imagine closing them all down will mean no holiday gifts from the Dopers.

[Frank]

Originally Posted by SkipMagic

I mean, if closing three threads is this unpopular, I imagine closing them all down will mean no holiday gifts from the Dopers.

Plus, you'd probably lose your twee status.

[SkipMagic]

Never. Cold hands. Dead hands. Pry and whatnot.

[NoClueBoy]

Long, long ago, when I actually cared a little bit, the closing of ultra huge threads was tied to board performance issues (in addition to the question of a few people* hogging the forum).

Has this changed since numerous upgrades? No, I don't wish to be a part of any A Thread or Guess the Next Bitch! or OMFG, You Jackasses Again? threads, I'm just wondering. (ETA: Yes, I see the answer above, thanks)



*Yes, even if it has 20 or so regular posters, that's still a few compared to the 172 people still subscribing to the SDMB.

[GawnFishin']

Originally Posted by SkipMagic

A strain on resources is still an issue for the moment. Since our database is currently limited in size (a backend techinical issue with which I am not involved and about which I can't answer any questions), game threads face the same restrictions. But, you're right. We could probably do with some sticky updates in that forum.

Seeing that we have a new server and other changes have taken place I'd think it would be a critical update . I don't post much and I read the sticky thread before posting to the Lyric thread. I had sort (probably mistakenly) gotten the impression that anything in that sticky was almost certainly out of date.

Originally Posted by SkipMagic

Hell, not if I value my life. I mean, if closing three threads is this unpopular, I imagine closing them all down will mean no holiday gifts from the Dopers.

And what pray tell give you the impression that your still on our Christmas card list?

That last sentence just don't work if you replace Christmas with holiday does it.

Originally Posted by NoClueBoy

*Yes, even if it has 20 or so regular posters, that's still a few compared to the 172 people still subscribing to the SDMB.

I thought it was 168?

[NoClueBoy]

Originally Posted by GawnFishin'

I thought it was 168?

Skippy's multiple personalities finally ponied up the dough.

[MadTheSwine]

A Games Forum would be neat.

(Just putting in my 1/2 a cent...if its even woth that much)

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by Frank

If (if, if, if, if, if, if, if ,if) a games forum were created, it would also become the new default home for sports discussion, as well as discussion of board games, checkers, chess, and golf.

Baseball discussions would still be Great Debates material, of course.

This would be great. I hope it happens. It would seem to solve several complaints at once. Thank you for letting us know and of course, you know many of us would really appreciate a new forum as you described.

Jim