Idea: In-State Rivals Forum

ahaselhu · 08-26-2008, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Angie

We discussed making it not show up on the front page. It is certainly possible to do that. The problem with doing anything is that people are going to talk about Iowa, regardless of how much other people don't want it. If they don't see it on the front page, they'll post something that will show up there. It becomes something that becomes causes friction in its own way, because then people get angry when their threads are moved to the appropriate forum, since it doesn't show up on the front page (some of this happens now with politics).

If that makes sense.

This is why letting the users choose would work out well. People would be more likely to put it in the correct forum, because there would no longer be any way to ensure everyone sees it. However, I'm sure this would be difficult to implement.

And for the record, I'm actually one that likes seeing info on Iowa, UNI, and Drake on this board.

EggMcClone · 08-26-2008, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Angie

We discussed making it not show up on the front page. It is certainly possible to do that. The problem with doing anything is that people are going to talk about Iowa, regardless of how much other people don't want it. If they don't see it on the front page, they'll post something that will show up there. It becomes something that becomes causes friction in its own way, because then people get angry when their threads are moved to the appropriate forum, since it doesn't show up on the front page (some of this happens now with politics).

If that makes sense.

People are going to talk about it anyway no matter what and that's fine but when these threads keep popping up it only encourages more discussion of them and less of other things. The problem only gets worse when the two sides get into pissing contests about something and those threads never leave the front page. I get that in some ways the front page should be a reflection of what is being discussed on the site but there are so many of them about stuff that isn't that important I'd love to be able to get rid of them.

Anyway, meta threads about discussing Iowa are probably even worse that actually discussing Iowa so...sorry about adding to that.

Angie · 08-26-2008, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by ahaselhu

This is why letting the users choose would work out well. People would be more likely to put it in the correct forum, because there would no longer be any way to ensure everyone sees it. However, I'm sure this would be difficult to implement.

And for the record, I'm actually one that likes seeing info on Iowa, UNI, and Drake on this board.

I think that's a great idea, too - I think it's been suggested a few other times, too. Will report!

CloneAggie · 08-26-2008, 01:06 PM

If people didn't want to discuss these topics, they would quickly fall off. Evidently it is important enough to some people to discuss them. And who cares what the casual observer thinks. The casual observer must also think were obsessed with gambling and the logistics of taking a 1000 pound woman to trial/cats vs. dogs/9 year old pitchers/etc.

cygrads · 08-26-2008, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by ahaselhu

There has been a lot of chatter recently that we talk too much about the Hawkeyes, but that we have an In-State Rivals forum that is made for this purpose.

It seems to me that one solution to this problem would be to prevent threads in the In-State rivals section from showing up in the "Recent Threads", similar to how the Politics forum is handled. Or, if possible, allow the users themselves to set which forums show up in the "Recent Threads" and "New Posts".

Thoughts?

You got my vote - too easy to get sucked in to the thread, if I don't see it I won't get sucked in and I didn't even realize CF had a thread related to politics.

Drizzle · 08-26-2008, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by dosry5

Would Fran be nekkid?

Nope, fully clothed.. Laughing hysterically while playing with a Tickle Me Elmo doll and one of those stupid fish that sang take me to the river..

BryceC · 08-26-2008, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by superdorf

They think we are obsessed with Iowa because a lot of people on here are.

I still don't think "In-State" rival posts should be taken off the front page... What about all the other NON ISU topics... should they be removed too?

I think the thing that separates the instate rivals threads is that they tend to create a LOT of negativity. DJK posts some random factoid and 90% of the thread is devoted to ripping on him personally and the stuff he writes. That is on the front page of the website and is the first thing people may encounter here. I like a lot of the OT stuff, but when people post a lot of the OT stuff it doesn't instantly turn into a mudslinging fest. IMO the Politics/Instate Rivals stuff is cut from the same cloth, so if Politics shouldn't be on the front page then I could see a case being made for the instate rivals stuff.

Some people are obsessed with Iowa around here, just like some people obessively post politics stuff.

A message board loses a lot of its strength if it becomes focused completely on one topic.

I never said we should ban Iowa discussion, just like I'm glad the Politics form has a spot. Like Angie said, people are going bring up Iowa regardless of circumstance. I just don't know why the site is improved by having 3 of the 10 threads on the main page be about Iowa running/quarterbacks that are instantly filled with snipes to the original poster.

Aclone · 08-26-2008, 01:21 PM

Actually, part of the reason the Iowa threads pop up so much on the front page is because people go there and post how much they hate it--which fires off round after round of responses, back and forth. Each one jacking the thread back up on the board.

Think about it.

And if you don't like it that much, is it so hard to go to the "Iowa State" section rather than the front page in the first place?

I don't spend all that much time on the front page myself. Lots of times I'm even just bouncing back and forth between "Basketball" and "Football"

chadm · 08-26-2008, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Aclone

Actually, part of the reason the Iowa threads pop up so much on the front page is because people go there and post how much they hate it--which fires off round after round of responses, back and forth. Each one jacking the thread back up on the board.

Think about it.

And if you don't like it that much, is it so hard to go to the "Iowa State" section rather than the front page in the first place?

I don't spend all that much time on the front page myself. Lots of times I'm even just bouncing back and forth between "Basketball" and "Football"

Good post.

How many of the message boards we are use to have a front page? Rivals and scout don't.

If you don't like the front page, possibly just click each forum seperate.

ahaselhu · 08-26-2008, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by chadm

Good post.

How many of the message boards we are use to have a front page? Rivals and scout don't.

If you don't like the front page, possibly just click each forum seperate.

That's all well and good to say, and I agree with you to an extent, but I think it is becoming obvious that people aren't going to follow that advice, and we'll continue to get the bickering that BryceC talked about.

Aclone · 08-26-2008, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by ahaselhu

That's all well and good to say, and I agree with you to an extent, but I think it is becoming obvious that people aren't going to follow that advice, and we'll continue to get the bickering that BryceC talked about.

Well, I hate to say this, and God knows that in America "Personal Responsibility" is something to be avoided at all costs...but then it becomes their own fault.

isuno1fan · 08-26-2008, 01:38 PM

Leave it as is and for that matter, bring the political forum back to the recent threads as well.

ahaselhu · 08-26-2008, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Aclone

Well, I hate to say this, and God knows that in America "Personal Responsibility" is something to be avoided at all costs...but then it becomes their own fault.

I'm not concerned about those involved in the bickering. Personally, I'd just prefer that it wasn't so visible to the rest of us

.

In any case, this is just an idea to make the site more enjoyable for everyone. I'm fine with the way things are now, but I think being able to customize things a little more might relieve some tension around here.

mustangcy · 08-26-2008, 01:46 PM

My vote goes to getting it off the front page. I'm really sick of seeing 2-3 Iowa threads on the front page.

BryceC · 08-26-2008, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Aclone

Well, I hate to say this, and God knows that in America "Personal Responsibility" is something to be avoided at all costs...but then it becomes their own fault.

I know what you're saying and no matter what they decide I don't have a problem with it. My point is simply that instate rivals threads always get ugly, and how does having that on the doorstep improve the site? I don't have the recliner from my mancave be the first thing people see when they walk into my house either. That's the only point I'm trying to make.