Can their be a separate section for downloads (music and video) or AT LEAST a section where people can give info for websites where to get them?

there are threads on here that give out media links for downloads. well be mergin them under one thread, and most likely under a separate category soon.

I hope no one gets offended by this post and considers it a slam or some attempt to stop people from "expressing" themselves freely BUT I thnk that this site needs to figure out some way to cut down on all the threads.

Seriously, people post left and right and it takes forever to read through all of that stuff. Some people do not have time to be online for hours and hours reading through repetitive threads to get to the gems. I have seen repetitive thread after thread and really, it's ridiculous.

It seems that people want to beat a dead horse OVER AND OVER again and you will see like 5 threads all talking about the same issue. My suggestion on how to do this is that for all the big events (publicized TV appearances...) and etc...that a mod start ONE thread that is solely dedicated to that EVENT or TOPIC and specify that all post pertaining to that subject matter be posted in that thread and that in order to stop repeat threads other threads created about the same subject will be deleted. There has to be a happy medium some how.

I just want to be a fan and read good things about Elliott and it makes no difference who starts the thread but please, one thread about one thing is enough.

IFA

Thanks for saying this. We are trying to go in the direction you have stated. However, It is a sad thing that when we try to cut down on repetition, some people will then slam us for THAT and accuse us of censorship, etc...

You make some excellent points and we are working towards just what you suggested! Thanks so much. One way you could help, is to send us links to specific threads that are repetitive. Thanks so much!

I totally agree with you, Idolfanabroad. Many of the threads have the same subject line. I don't think people even check sometimes, to see if something has already been posted, they just post away, and often you find three threads with the same subject.

Lise, I think everyone would appreciate making the site less cumbersome. That doesn't have anything to do with censorship, so I think it's necessary.

As someone on another board stated, "Search is your best friend."

Basically, all I see it is fans try to compete each other for who posts the thread first. They want their thread to get replied to. Although some don't necessarily have time to find out, I usually see 10 threads on the subject, like the NBA game.

I'm jumping in to say that one of my pet peeves with the AI boards was that people kept posting like they were text messaging. Thread titles need to be descriptive so that redundancy is avoided. How irritating is it that in Updates you see several threads entitled "New article about Elliott", "I found something...", "Nice read!" and on and on. You'd think people would have the common sense to use say, the publication's name and article title so that other don't waste time going through several threads that talk about the same thing. There are thread titles that go "I have a theory..." or "You know what...", you get the idea. I wonder how we can get people to learn?

I did notice that the mods have been merging some threads, Lise. I don't think people resent that, since it's a sensible thing to do. It's deletion of unique threads that they would resent.

I agree with you. Squee...Unfortunately, certain people will resent anything, no matter what we do. But we get more complaints about redundancy than anything else. And when we try to control the redundancy we are accused of not believing in Free Speech. Oh well...but I agree with you and we are going to be working on this more and more. Thanks!

Lise,

I'm glad to hear that Etrain is working on trying to make this site as great as possible and I do understand that it is hard to accomodate everyone, especially online. And I will do as you suggest and send you the links to redundant threads when I come across them.

With that said, I really do not see how anyone could find it censorship to try to make the site as "orderly" as possible. Having people post to one thread and not create a bundle of others (on the same topic) is just practical for the mods and all the fans that come here to read each thread. Also, I'm a firm believer in offering a solution to what I see as a problem (if there is one) and I think that to echo the post of the others in this thread some of the subject titles of new threads and the competitive nature of it should be addressed as well.

It seems that some people get off on posting their thoughts and hey that's cool. It's good to see that when you want to but for EVERYONE on a whim to think that it is their right to start a thread about their free flowing thought process is a little too much for a fan site. So, with that said perhaps you guys can create ONE THREAD and call it "I just realized... or It just occured to me" and people can post their inner thoughts there because sometimes its as if you are reading the blog of a fan and not really much is being gained in the way of Elliott Yamin. Would also be nice to have one thread where those that want to proclaim their unconditional, fanatic love can just post and be out of the way of everyone else. LOL Sorry, but as you can see I have just nearly had my fill of it. It's ashame when you want to go to a place that should be informative and fun about someone you like and then you get there and are like "give me a break". I dont want to need a break from the Etrain forum, you know?

IFA

p.s. Yes, I'm opinionated and again, I did try to offer solutions to what I flagged as annoying little forum problems. :D

Lise, i think the best thing is what you guys are doing. Merging threads makes it sooo much easier. the person whose thread was merged may feel aggravated but it should be brief...

If the guidelines state this is how this is going to be, then those who throw temper tantrums willl just have to ... throw their tantrum. LOL

You can't please everybody. Once the site has established all of the guidelines that will be created from growing pains and trial and error, then just stick to your guns....you can't please everyone all of the time.

I think it appears that people will be okay with mod decisions if the guidelines indicate that is the type of action that will be taken. Hard to argue with the rules when they are plainly stated.

And everytime i reply to you Lise, I always feel the need to say what a great job you do here. You are very responsive and try to mediate and do what is best for all.....

I agree. Thanks, Lise!!!!!

:cheerleader:

Thanks so much! We are trying our best...We need more, and more specific guidelines than what we presently have. That way, people will know exactly what is expected of them ahead of time, such as looking to see if someone has recently started a thread on the same topic, etc...