Raising the Bar; Help Wanted

[NFGIII]

I suppose this would be a bad time for an LOL SpursTalk?

I kid, I kid. I agree with this post wholeheartedly. While I still think SpursTalk is the greatest place on the net, the quality of the discussions has left something to be desired lately. There is still some intelligent conversation and debate, but you have to weed through a cluster of player bashing, bad trade scenarios, and general nonsense to find it.

One of the greatest things about this forum is its freedom and lack of censorship, but that doesn't mean that all posts can completely lack substance. All of the trolls, while occasionally funny, are probably half of the problem. The other half are just people who don't think before posting, or would post something to get a rise rather than contribute an opinion. I'm probably guilty of a little of this as well (I like funny pictures, so sue me).

I don't think every post made needs to necessarily be a thesis or anything, but if the whole site makes a collective effort to start contributing some genuine discussion, I bet we can easily raise the bar a notch.

Amen.

Continually I have to weed through the posts to get to someone that I believe brings valid points/opinions to the subject matter. Admittedly I skip many posters since after reading many of their threads/posts I've come to disregard them as worthy of my time, which is sad since all should be given consideration when replying to a thread. My rule is to give a reply that has some substance and addresses the subject matter. I rarely address anyone with in vulgar terms since you can make the same point without doing so. Anyway every one has a right to their opinion and as long as we respect one another and use common sense everything will work out.

Tmvp/Kori - you guys rock. Keep it up.

[Spursmania]

Yeah, the vulgar words need to come to an end...

Yes they do, and I'm sure you would like to lead by setting the example right Sigz? People shouldn't be allowed to post ridiculous and/or redundant threads should they?

Hint, hint...

[Bukefal]

Great timvp post !

Regarding international basketball forum I don't know if we need a specific one cauz there is already the international forum and we can open threads there but it lacks a little bit of visibility and maybe you should includ it in the Sports forum.

If I can do something for the forum it would be my pleasure even if my BB knowledge is limited compared to you guys, for the rest I will keep on retaining myself to open useless threads, making crazy sigs etc...


BTW if KBP could have a little bit of decency, seeing him again on the forum would be fun, he has some international bb knowledge once in a while from Greece or Arkansas or whatever the place he lives.

I agree on his decency, it sure is a bit quiet around here now that he is gone . He indeed did have big European basketball knowledge and it was fun and interesting reading what he had to say and going into discussion with him, but yeah his anger and cursing and hate towards almost everyone was ridiculous. If he refrains from doing so, I would not mind him coming back, but I doubt he can.

[ElNono]

If there's anything I can do to lend a hand, just fire up a PM

[TDMVPDPOY]

i wouldnt mind mod powers to me, myself and i

wat u say.....

[JamStone]

I don't have a problem with most of the trolls. In fact, it's the non-troll posters who respond to troll posts and threads and take them too seriously that allows the trolls to continue to be a problem. The more the "bad" trolls are ignored, the more likely they will slowly go away.

I hope this action to "raise the bar" includes the NBA section.

[Spursmania]

I don't have a problem with most of the trolls. In fact, it's the non-troll posters who respond to troll posts and threads and take them too seriously that allows the trolls to continue to be a problem. The more the "bad" trolls are ignored, the more likely they will slowly go away.

I hope this action to "raise the bar" includes the NBA section.

I would hope so since the NBA section seems to be the biggest problem.

[angel_luv]

I support all the points you made, LJ.
A quick side note: You are an excellent writer.

[HoopsCzar]

As the Spurs journey through their 13th consecutive season as an elite team in the NBA, it's undeniable that SpursTalk.com has failed to remain elite in the beginning of the 2009-2010 NBA season. For a myriad of reasons, the quality-to-noise ratio has been at an unacceptably low level. I take partial responsibility, as life issues indefinitely suspended my participation on the forums. But now I hope to help nudge SpursTalk.com into the correct direction so that it can regain its rightful position.

In addition to raising my posting level, I'll also make it a point to author three features for each game: Keys to Victory, Initial Reaction and Game Thoughts. Kori Ellis has a yet to be revealed feature that will definitely raise the bar.

How can you help? Kori Ellis and I have a long list of feature ideas that can add to the quality of SpursTalk.com ... if we can only locate the necessary help. If you are willing to help, we will be grateful. No matter if you only have time for a one and done feature that involves minimal basketball knowledge or you want to tackle a larger project, we can work together to figure it out. If you are interested, please send me a PM. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

In addition to features, overall posting quality will be held up to a slightly higher standard. The freedom SpursTalk.com offers won't be altered, however we do ask that you take more time when it comes to starting threads and expressing your vulgar thoughts and emotions. A poster who gets multiple threads merged due not giving common courtesy to the very simple rules when it comes to starting threads will now automatically lose their ability to start threads for period of a month. Extreme and unnecessary vulgarity will also come under scrutiny. We can live with 99% of the vulgarity but the over the line potshots will result in a warning to help serve as a reminder that the bar has indeed been raised.

Even if you believe that nothing above applies to you, I simply ask that you make a small effort to improve your contribution level. If we all take a little step, the result will be a large improvement.

In the long history of SpursTalk.com, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending greatness in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility -- I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other fans or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this team will light our forum and all who read it -- and the glow from that fire can truly light the path to back to greatness.

And so, my fellow SpursTalk.com brethren: Ask not what your forum can do for you -- ask what you can do for your forum.

Great to hear,..

In fact that's partially why I came back to re-visit this form. Part to share my perspectives on what I've evaluated of the Spurs. But to also infuse some sensible interjection to help clean the clocks of some of the quacks that I was informed had mounted an effort to overrun your forums.

See from my initial visit a few years ago I've developed a fond respect and embrace for this forum and a great number of San Antonio Spurs fans.

So once informed of what was happening there was no way I wasn't going to help. You Guy's & Gal's made the effort to provide a great venue for sports fans and more specifically Spurs faithful. So knowing it takes a community effort to support there was no way I was going to just do nothing and allow a few bad apples to ruin it for everybody.

In fact not to campaign for censorship but the liberty of expression often becomes so abused. Sometimes and often to the point of individuals rendering senseless, tasteless, baseless, disrespectful profanity laced innuendo. That it becomes a polarizing detraction for those whom don't employ, condone or appreciate it,..those whom did it sought pleasure of overrunning the community.

Again thus is such a conflict in character that became a direct result of why the quality of content of posters of a differing character, interest and manner declined. Solely by the more upstanding not wanting the hassle of dealing with the idiots nor favoring exposure to them.

It won't take long to clean it up and get the forum back on the right track. But it takes conscious, diligence of vigilant effort and consistency to enforce the rule of clean play,..even if / when we hang on another posters Rim for forum fun and frolic.

[HoopsCzar]

I think there should be some control over racial issues. We really don't need the racist crap in a forum where posters from many nationalities post. Even if it were meant as a joke, people would still feel insulted.

You're right,..

Where I love spirited fans and with engage barb, trick shots and quick quit from A-Z in a for forum fun type manner. But things like racism aren't in my arsenal nor interest and has absolutely has no place in society nor in a sports forum,..I'm an equal opportunity player that in my style and focus of play I can care absolutely less about ones race, faith and gender.

See the games are won and lost on a balance of talent, effort, coaching insight and sometimes a lucky bounce or favor of a questionable call or two. But nowhere in the games outcomes nor any aspect of discussion of them in any pretense. Does nor should the nationality, faith, region nor gender of player, ref, coach nor even fan have anything to do with it,..none, zero, Na Da and it's not open to allege or contend otherwise.

When I encounter such an individual it immediately lets me know they're the most twisted of all useless twisted[s]. Also it signifies it's allowed, condoned and embraced if action isn't taken to ban such a senseless individual. So if and when I do engage them it's in a manner to dismantle and crush them in a far more personal and purposeful manner than wouldn't make for meating out " wholesome " indifference,..they're best ignored while awaiting their being banned which should be swift and immediate.

[Obstructed_View]

Sounds like a great plan. Can't wait to see it take shape.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I should be made moderator of the NFL forum so I can clean up the hundreds of pointless threads in there.

[Solid D]

You have my support on this whole "Raising the Bar" thing. I'm glad to see more effort in this area.

[Spursmania]

I'm all for bettering this site and its content while remaining an open forum with limited censor. It seems pretty easy to weed out the pedaphiles and racially motivated posts. Temporary suspension might work after a protracted disregard and abuse of the site.

[blkroadrunners]

If you need help, just call me. I'm fairly new to this site, but IMO, I think you and Kori (if I left out anybody, sry) are more of the responsible administrators that I have witness out of any message board. Glad you guys are taking care of any problems and concerns.

[Sigz]

I will live with a Becky Hammon section on SpursTalk. Other then that, there just doesn't seem to be a respectable place on here to talk about her.

Shame...

[HarlemHeat37]

I'm down to help, let me know if you need anything..

[Solid D]

"Raise the Bar" and give this forum a "boost".

[DPG21920]

Call me Mark-Paul Gosselaar

[DAF86]

Sequ for the win, that Manu shirt only makes him cooler.

[The Great Fantastic]

Totally down for raising the bar. I am going to start by actually trying to contribute. My first goal was to read some of the great insight on this board and to mock all idiots. Now I will allow myself to be mocked by showing my true self, as an idiot. You asked for it. The bar has officially been raisened!!!!!

[igruex]

I might be able to set the forum so that Guests (when you aren't logged in) don't see signatures.

That would be great. In fact, I can't think of any downside having signatures off for guests.

[ploto]

How many people do you think would participate regularly?

I don't think that we have really ever had any problem discussing, for example, the Slovenian National Team, during the summer when they are playing in Eurobasket or the World Championships. A couple of people might come in just to rag on Beno, but they pretty much get ignored (or agreed with).

We have always had a special thread for these tournaments, as well, that have seemed to me to be fine for discussion.

[Udokafan05]

All for it

[yourtehclay]

I'll upgrade from lurker to a more regular poster. That probably isn't much of a contribution but it's all I can offer.