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Post by Todd on Sept 5, 2016 15:05:24 GMT -5
In an effort to make the forum more user friendly, I'm going to try an experiment with the section for this issue, which is due to start arriving imminently.
Shortly after I receive the issue, I or one of the other moderators will create a thread for each of the marked puzzles. This will allow a moderator to have ownership over the first post in the thread, which we can then edit to include whether or not the puzzle is solved, and hints for solving it. Discussion is free to proceed in the thread.
Once the puzzle threads are all created, I'll open up the forum so all members can create threads.
My thought is that this way, right at the top of the thread, a member will have most of the pertinent information they need for solved puzzles. They can then peruse the rest of the thread for additional discussion and hints. It's not an attempt to control who is posting or when they are posting.
I expect I'll learn very quickly if this does not work the way I'm intending. I do apologize if this isn't an experiment with which you agree. Feel free to provide constructive feedback here or via PM.
If this isn't a successful experiment, we will return to an open format with the following issue.
Thanks for making this an awesome community. I'm proud to be counted amongst your ranks.
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Post by helenahandbasket on Sept 5, 2016 17:34:59 GMT -5
I'm sorry, I must be slow. It sounds like you're proposing to create a thread for each puzzle, the same way you have for 3.1 and 3.2, and you or a moderator will answer each question someone has.
Then, if anyone is willing, they will be allowed to open a thread for additional discussion and that thread will be 'successful' to whatever extent people discuss broader terms?
The moderators have already started threads for each puzzle, the hoi polloi can create threads within boards -- what's different here?
I'm sorry if I'm being thick.
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Post by Todd on Sept 5, 2016 18:26:38 GMT -5
I'm sorry, I must be slow. It sounds like you're proposing to create a thread for each puzzle, the same way you have for 3.1 and 3.2, and you or a moderator will answer each question someone has. Then, if anyone is willing, they will be allowed to open a thread for additional discussion and that thread will be 'successful' to whatever extent people discuss broader terms? The moderators have already started threads for each puzzle, the hoi polloi can create threads within boards -- what's different here? I'm sorry if I'm being thick. A moderator didn't always create the puzzle threads previously. It's especially apparent with Volume 3 Chapter 2, where almost every puzzle thread was started by a member. The Crossword thread, for example, was created by offsky. The Word Stack by ww12345. Word Search by distantsmoke. If we wanted to use the top post in one of those threads to provide easy-to-find hints, it would mean a moderator would have to hijack someone else's post, since posts are always sequenced by date and time of creation. I've never closed a board to new threads like this before, and it will be opened up again once the puzzle threads are created. This is just an experiment to give staff ownership over the top post in every puzzle thread this issue. If it turns out to be more trouble than value, I won't bother again. I expect that, one I re-open this section for new threads, that members will create appropriate threads to discuss articles, curios, etc. as before. Other than, on rare occasions, moderators combining or splitting threads, there is no determination made by staff on what is or isn't a worthy thread. And as always, this is a community effort. Just like it was in the Sitting Room, everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. If I know a puzzle solution and anyone asks for a hint, I will not withhold assistance. I think that's true of everyone in the community. I hope that clarifies. It is an abstract idea. I just want members to understand why, at this time, the option to create new threads is unavailable in the section of the forum dedicated to Volume 3 Issue 3. |
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Post by distantsmoke on Sept 5, 2016 19:36:06 GMT -5
I don't see a problem with trying an experiment. If it works, great, if not then we'll know. And any moderator is welcome to hijack any thread I create.  |
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Post by thebardess on Sept 5, 2016 21:50:06 GMT -5
I'm sorry, I must be slow. It sounds like you're proposing to create a thread for each puzzle, the same way you have for 3.1 and 3.2, and you or a moderator will answer each question someone has. Then, if anyone is willing, they will be allowed to open a thread for additional discussion and that thread will be 'successful' to whatever extent people discuss broader terms? The moderators have already started threads for each puzzle, the hoi polloi can create threads within boards -- what's different here? I'm sorry if I'm being thick. I think what Todd is proposing (and correct me if I'm wrong, Todd) is that the moderators will create the threads for the puzzles, and then everybody will discuss and theorize and solve things like usual. Then, as the thread progresses, if important information/clues show up or the puzzle gets solved, the moderators will amend the original post in the thread to include that information (with proper spoiler tags, naturally!), so it is easy to find. That way, if someone is just looking for a good hint or simply wants to know if a solution has been reached (essentially, just wants to quickly find some basic information), he or she can just read the first post in the thread, rather than wade through page after page of posts to find the one relevant nugget of information. And of course, people who want to read through the entire thread and follow the discussion post by post can still do that, too. Personally, I think it's a good idea. Some of the puzzle threads get really long and it's easy to miss clues or information (there have been a couple of threads where a puzzle has been solved, but not everybody realized that just because the threads were so long and there were so many posts). I know there have been times when I'm looking at a puzzle and I don't want to read the whole discussion, I just want to find one or two hints quickly or determine whether or not anybody has solved it, and it would be handy to be able to find that information right off the bat. |
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Post by k80 on Sept 5, 2016 22:27:08 GMT -5
That's exactly right, TheBardess. While the mods/admin will start the actual puzzle threads, members are free to start any other thread they think would be helpful; whether it's a particular curio, related research or back story, what they had for lunch, doesn't matter. For the marked puzzles, though, we're going to create a thread and that way there's a mod/admin owner at the very top of the thread to be able to edit the very first post to include pertinent information discovered by the group in the thread below or in the chat room. People who don't go to chat can get that information, then, too, without having to infer it from conversation second-hand.
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Post by Memosinstilettos on Sept 5, 2016 23:56:45 GMT -5
I think it is a great idea, great things have come from experiments! And I can seek looks at the first post at work.. Tee hee!
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Post by Todd on Sept 6, 2016 6:12:48 GMT -5
That's exactly right, TheBardess. While the mods/admin will start the actual puzzle threads, members are free to start any other thread they think would be helpful; whether it's a particular curio, related research or back story, what they had for lunch, doesn't matter. For the marked puzzles, though, we're going to create a thread and that way there's a mod/admin owner at the very top of the thread to be able to edit the very first post to include pertinent information discovered by the group in the thread below or in the chat room. People who don't go to chat can get that information, then, too, without having to infer it from conversation second-hand. Lunch threads should be in the General section. |
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Post by k80 on Sept 6, 2016 9:56:18 GMT -5
That's exactly right, TheBardess. While the mods/admin will start the actual puzzle threads, members are free to start any other thread they think would be helpful; whether it's a particular curio, related research or back story, what they had for lunch, doesn't matter. For the marked puzzles, though, we're going to create a thread and that way there's a mod/admin owner at the very top of the thread to be able to edit the very first post to include pertinent information discovered by the group in the thread below or in the chat room. People who don't go to chat can get that information, then, too, without having to infer it from conversation second-hand. Lunch threads should be in the General section. Unless it relates directly to 3.3... like "Hey guys, I just glopped tuna mayonnaise on page four"  |
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Post by Todd on Sept 7, 2016 7:53:25 GMT -5
Puzzle threads have been created (thanks, k8) and the board has been opened so anyone can create a new thread.
Let 'er rip!
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