Vbulletin Atmosphere - Good or Bad?

[Gio~Logist]

I remember when i first came here everything was all about making hacks and getting installs, and just being happy about that. Support was given a lot, people were happy IMO. However, i've noticed that things are beggining to change. People seem more concerned with arguing and looking good in front of their fellow members. It seems that people are beggining to pride themselves on being able to make others feel like crap. I myself have never been a victim of these acts, however, i have been a witness on several occasions.

You have moderators like Boofo and ChrisM (just some examples) who bring a nice atmosphere and joy to the forums. They are constantly trying to brighten things up and do a good job. However, it is obvious that they cannot do it by themselves.

In the past day i have seen members getting criticized badly and teased because their designs aren't "the best on the internet". I suppose that everyone starts off being a great designer these days? I think not. I have also seen a member post about hosting, and get posts about how bad his layout is and/or criticism that is completely off the topic.

The point is, everyone complains that people are being cruel and mean and that coders aren't being supportive. Ask yourself this, "Who would want to be supportive in a community of people that do nothing but criticize and make fun of all day?" People ask "Why is everyone so 'mean' and alwats criticizing one another?" Perhaps because it's a new epedemic and everyone feels that they should fit in?

Bottom line, a lot of people come here for support. They come here to seek solutions to their problems and not to get more problems along the way. If they post a skin and you don't like it, then don't download it or criticize. If you do want to say something, try constructive criticism perhaps? If someone posts asking for help with something, don't go calling them stupid or being ignorant and immature and causing more problems or criticising one's site.

I've seen everyone say that they want more support, less complaining, less criticism. The moderators and coders can't do this alone, the members themselves are the majority (everyone included). If you want a better community, try and be a better person every now and then.

I hardly have time to come here due to the fact that i am always working. However, when i came here to stop by and actually look over some posts today to see how things were, i just figured a thread like this was needed perhaps. This is simply a forum and i do not spend much time here atm, however, for those that do (and even for those who don't) maybe we should work on a few things as far as our attitudes are concerned. If i took 5 minutes out of my hectic schedule to write this, i'm sure others can do the same.
Giovanni Martinez

I just posted this thread and already have about 10 people viewing three seconds later, lets hope it's for the best :p

[ChuckH]

Personally, I use the golden rule when it comes to posting. Also, I try to act like I would if I were sitting across a table from you, instead of behind a keyboard.

I wish more people acted the same way.

[Erwin]

Good post. A community is made up of its members. It's up to all of us to make this place what it is. Remember, most of the staff here (myself included) are volunteers, and do it because they want to make this community better. We can all be part of this.

[nexialys]

my 2¢ is that there is more and more members here, and when the croud is too heavy, things can happen that escape the guys in charge... that's what goes in actually... some flamings are not controled because not all the discussions can be moderated - we're not in jail!

and people always complain when they want to have better... example, hundreds complain about the non-upgrade to 3.5.x ... they just have to admin their own board if they are not happy here (my 5¢) ...

i'm not 100% ethical all the times, maybe i'm overpassing my level of membership by asking people to read the forum descriptions, etc... but if i'd be a moderator or a PR here, i would act differently... i'm just a user/member, not in a responsible level,... and that, maybe most of the people don't remember that... the guys upthere are sometime stressed to hell because of members that never understand things...

anyway... my 2¢ is large tonight!

[Gio~Logist]

Hehe. I am glad that you put in your 2? in (plus tax) :p It is true, the moderators cannot see everything that goes on, it is simply impossible. Somethings just have to be left to the members.

[Princeton]

I agree some of these posts are not helpful to members (especially newbies).
This is probably due to the fact that the posters want to increase post count.
If they have nothing productive to say what do you think the alternative is when their goal is to increase post count?

With a growing population you need a growing staff. The staff number here is just not enough.

[fusiongoddess]

Great post Gio, I completely agree with you.

[peterska2]

IMO, The atmosphere on the whole is good but there are a few lettle nigglely things that really get up my nose. Mind you these are nearly all things that are against the site rules.

[Borgs8472]

The staff number here is just not enough.
Absolutely. There are so many newbie questions that need answering here, relative newbie mods are needed to cover them all IMO.

[Gio~Logist]

So far i agree with most of the people that have commented. The staff here is a tad bit less than is needed. Also, people that are new to this site (also known as "newbies") should have their questions answered.

Keep the feedback comming guys.

[Corriewf]

So far i agree with most of the people that have commented. The staff here is a tad bit less than is needed. Also, people that are new to this site (also known as "newbies") should have their questions answered.

Keep the feedback comming guys.


How would more staff help resolve questions not being answered? :)

[Marky]

I like the community here, you all seem like good people ;) lol

[Gio~Logist]

How would more staff help resolve questions not being answered? :)

Those are two different things lol. I wasn't saying that they're in any way related.

[nexialys]

btw, it can be related... if we have more staff, let's say we have a guy for the PR, he/she will be there to answer default/basic questions made by the new visitors... usually, newbies are always asking the same questions anyway... ;) if we have a dedicated PR guy, the other guys from the staff will only have to focus on their own part of the site...

anyway, this is a structured way to do... not always what is taken into consideration!
(i hate when people say "we already have something working on that" ... robots!)

[Corriewf]

anyway, this is a structured way to do... not always what is taken into consideration!
(i hate when people say "we already have something working on that" ... robots!)


That is because they are bots...... This site hasnt been staffed by a human in years.... You all are in the matrix right now... :laugh:

I do agree that the staff have to feel bombarded as of late in Feedback.

[Hasann]

i love vbulletin and it loves me also (;

[peterska2]

So far i agree with most of the people that have commented. The staff here is a tad bit less than is needed. Also, people that are new to this site (also known as "newbies") should have their questions answered.

Keep the feedback comming guys.

I'm often one of the first on the scene with regards to that but I've been offline for almost 3 weeks and so am still playing catchup.

[Gio~Logist]

btw, it can be related... if we have more staff, let's say we have a guy for the PR, he/she will be there to answer default/basic questions made by the new visitors... usually, newbies are always asking the same questions anyway... ;) if we have a dedicated PR guy, the other guys from the staff will only have to focus on their own part of the site...

anyway, this is a structured way to do... not always what is taken into consideration!
(i hate when people say "we already have something working on that" ... robots!)

Agreed.

[AWS]

I think too many people are impatient and when they have a problem they expect help as soon as the post for help goes up. When they don't receive it they get mad. Then when someone comes in to help they see a snide reply and instead of helping go off on a rant. It then becomes a viscious flamefest until a mod steps in and closes the thread.
Another problem I see is people sticking their nose in a thread and not posting anything relating to the topic.
One such example is this thread, https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=104465.
The op in that thread had a valid question and was looking for suggestions. He explicitly explained what he could afford and what he needed. In the thread he was told get a dedicated server and he explained he couldn't afford it. He was then told his site design was bad, he was using too many hacks that acaused the problem and a variety of other things. When he finaly found a dedicated he could afford he was told it won't work and you'd better off with. This all led to a flamefest.
If people would stay on topic with threads like the above things wuld be much better. Instead some like to stick their nose in to criticise instead of help.
A good rule of thumb is if you can't add anything of value to the topic stay the hell out of it.

[BamaStangGuy]

^ I feel honored. *Bows*

He takes a cheap and highly uneducated shot at a company and I said my piece about his crappy website.

Only fair in my eyes.

Anyway, looking at his site now I see he took my advice hehe

Looks so much better now ;)

[BrandiDup]

I love this site, for the most part. I've gotten a lot of help from people and try very hard to help when I can (though, honestly, I'm not much help since I'm not a coder or have any advanced knowledge of sql, php, etc).

The only thing I've seen that I'd truly change if I could is how critical (in a rude way) some people can be of other people's hacks, designs, styles, etc. The people that post these hacks and styles that are less than 'perfect' according to some people's standards usually do it with good intentions and to contribute what they can. I really hate to see the rude and uncalled for comments when the person obviously means well. I'm appreciative of each and every person who submits something that they've put work and time into putting together, whether it be a hack, style, buttons, tip on customization, etc. I just think we should all be appreciative of everyone on here who contributes, even if it's not something we can personally use on our site. :)

Just my 2 cents!

[BamaStangGuy]

**Group Hug**

[Lea Verou]

Compared to most greek forums, vbulletin.org's atmosphere is awsome :D