A smiting spree

[Shiryu]

I've just noticed that there has been a lot of "karma" smiting recently, with a few people gone under 0 and an average of 3 points taken away from many members.
I'm not sure why that is, since there hasn't been any really flaming topic (except for the usual Bendis stuff, but we are used to that), but anyway remember that someone shouldn't be smiten only for expressing his opinion (even if you don't agree with it) in a civil manner.

[dlw66]

Agreed. I've been away from the boards for a few days as our computer at home is in for virus cleaning. But, as school has started back up and I am online most of the time now I have seen some less then friendly tones on some of our topics. Some of this has come from merely the reporting of news items. Others have come from general "I know more than you" types of posts. Hey, if you do -- fine. No need to throw anything negative up in someone's face.

I have also noticed that many of our "hot areas" haven't had too many posts in the past several days. I hope that is not because people have left or don't feel "safe" around here anymore. After all, we do have a thread going that is entitled "Why this is a great place" [sic].

[steed]

Hey I'm all for a heated argument every now and then but I agree, some of the posts I've seen recently have been boarder line nasty. We need to remember that we're just discussing lines on paper, nothing really important.

If you don't like something some one wrote, respond to the post and don't attack the poster. And if you think you're being attacked, let it roll. Remember, it's only lines on paper.

[dlw66]

I think another resource that is available to us and should be taken advantage of is the personal message. I have enjoyed some private conversations with some of our members, and this might be a nice consideration for some of the debates that might have gotten out-of-hand.

[Shiryu]

True, if a debate between two people gets too hot, the private messages should be used instead.
I have been very busy recently because I've started to work, and so I couldn't stay around too long, but now I finally have internet home, so I'll try to monitor things more.
I'll also restore some karma around, especially for those gone under zero. If I miss someone let me know.

[Black Knight]

I like the fact that pm's are on this board, I was on a board that did not have them, and no matter how much the members suggested it, the owner would not do it, and of course it ended with lots of fighting on the board and nothing really being discussed.

[The Night Phantom]

steed said:

We need to remember that we're just discussing lines on paper, nothing really important.

Wow, you sound like the President discussing the Constitution!

(Now, there’s a way to start a flame war, folks!  )

Seriously, as a forum for ideas, literature (which comics, good or bad, qualify as) is important. But so is being civil—so, I’ll repeat Steed’s sage counsel:

If you don't like something some one wrote, respond to the post and don't attack the poster. And if you think you're being attacked, let it roll.

[asgardian]

There was an argument? I haven't seen one on these boards yet.

[dlw66]

Ah, gentlemen (and ladies, for that matter...):

As there is a bit of testiness going on in another thread, let's reiterate what people have said makes these boards great. People should feel free to post something that they are interested in, and respondents should feel free to agree or disagree publicly.

That being said, I think what makes a board work is when someone posts an idea, or particularly a new piece of art or storyline or Internet gossip, they get a quick reaction -- usually the first reader's first impression. THAT is what starts good conversation. That is, as long as the rebuttal is not an attack (eg "What kind of idiot would think that is cool?!?"). We should be free to voice our opinions and keep them clearly that -- our opinions. Mind your tone, and if it starts to get personal, take it to the PM's. Most of the rest of us don't want to read fighting-stuff on these boards.

And of course, when stating/rebutting, etc. do so in an intelligent manner. Give a reason why you like or dislike an idea et al. Let us know what you're thinking -- electronic transmissions don't always come across like you thought it sounded when you hit "post reply".

Agreed?

[imperiusrex]

dlw66 said:

Ah, gentlemen (and ladies, for that matter...):

As there is a bit of testiness going on in another thread, let's reiterate what people have said makes these boards great. People should feel free to post something that they are interested in, and respondents should feel free to agree or disagree publicly.

That being said, I think what makes a board work is when someone posts an idea, or particularly a new piece of art or storyline or Internet gossip, they get a quick reaction -- usually the first reader's first impression. THAT is what starts good conversation. That is, as long as the rebuttal is not an attack (eg "What kind of idiot would think that is cool?!?"). We should be free to voice our opinions and keep them clearly that -- our opinions. Mind your tone, and if it starts to get personal, take it to the PM's. Most of the rest of us don't want to read fighting-stuff on these boards.

And of course, when stating/rebutting, etc. do so in an intelligent manner. Give a reason why you like or dislike an idea et al. Let us know what you're thinking -- electronic transmissions don't always come across like you thought it sounded when you hit "post reply".

Agreed?

well why not just do away with smiting in the first place? doesn't seem to really serve a purpose...

[Black Knight]

imperiusrex said:

dlw66 said:

Ah, gentlemen (and ladies, for that matter...):

As there is a bit of testiness going on in another thread, let's reiterate what people have said makes these boards great. People should feel free to post something that they are interested in, and respondents should feel free to agree or disagree publicly.

That being said, I think what makes a board work is when someone posts an idea, or particularly a new piece of art or storyline or Internet gossip, they get a quick reaction -- usually the first reader's first impression. THAT is what starts good conversation. That is, as long as the rebuttal is not an attack (eg "What kind of idiot would think that is cool?!?"). We should be free to voice our opinions and keep them clearly that -- our opinions. Mind your tone, and if it starts to get personal, take it to the PM's. Most of the rest of us don't want to read fighting-stuff on these boards.

And of course, when stating/rebutting, etc. do so in an intelligent manner. Give a reason why you like or dislike an idea et al. Let us know what you're thinking -- electronic transmissions don't always come across like you thought it sounded when you hit "post reply".

Agreed?

well why not just do away with smiting in the first place? doesn't seem to really serve a purpose...

I agree, all it ends up being is a way for people to respond without thinking and typiing up a post.

Also, I find it amusing that people smite others for defending there opinions. LOL

Oh well.

[Shiryu]

Unfortunately the whole karma thing can not be switched off from what I've seen in the control panel, and it's not recorded either, so I can't find the "smiter" (yet, I'm narrowing the list down)

[dlw66]

In the past two days I've seen a new member (Welcome, friend... Here, have a smite!!) and our old pal W get smited for what? Search me... I exalted them both back to zero because I think unless someone is really nasty or totally obnoxious, there isn't a reason to give them negative karma.

[steed]

I notice in another thread that a new member with one post had -2 karma. Why? What sense does that make.

Anyone I see with negative karma will get a karma point from me.

[von Bek]

I like the idea of instead of posting "agree with you", exalt someone you agree with or think made a good point, same thing with smiting, but give someone a negative karma is just childish.

[steed]

I agree with you and gave you a karma point

Oh! This is my 100th post. I know that compared to most of you I'm still a neophyte but this is a milestone for me.

[dlw66]

Congratulations.

Maybe you just waste less time at work than some of the rest of us !!

[Doctor Doom]

I agree, and it annoyed me when I first came to the boarrd that I went into negative karma pretty quickly for expressing some opinions contrary to others.

PS: Oh GOd, I've lost my ONE karma point!

[steed]

Have no fear, Kaptain Karma is here.

[Shiryu]

I especially think that, when a karma point is taken, the smiter should say it. It's acceptable to disagree on things (even though karma should not be taken away only if someone expresses a different opinion), but sometimes points disappear without rhime or reason.

PS, congratulation for your 100th post, Steed !