... to keep peace and harmony in the family!
I'm just going to get right to the point:
The post whoring for post counts has gotten out of control, has spawned other related problems, and is generating many complaints from the members who lean more toward the Challenger-related end of things, which is after all, the purpose for which this forum was originally founded. At the same time, we know some of you have built great fun friendships and enjoy the opportunity to just talk about "stuff" with some redeeming value, post counts not included. We don't want to interfere with that either, so we came up with a solution that we hope will work for everyone, but we need everyone to cooperate for this compromise to work.
Ultimately, when someone searches for a Challenger resource or forum, we want to be proud of what we have to offer and continue to attract new users to join and contribute to our vast list of valuable Challenger-related topics here. That is less likely to happen if the majority of active threads found are silly post count competitions and 'how was your day' type banter, or worse, insults, infighting, hijacked discussions, and the like.
So here's the plan:
-I will build a new Chat sub-forum in the Off Topic section-
REMINDER: The
forum rules have
ALWAYS stated, the Off Topic section does
NOT mean “anything goes!
-- ALL FORUM RULES APPLY -- Please familiarize yourself with those rules immediately if you have not already done so, they can be found at the top of any forum section!
- The new 'Chat Lounge' sub-forum will be dedicated to small talk, fun, and social chit chat. Post counts will NOT accrue in the Off Topic sections any longer so as to discourage pointless posts/threads about nothing but post counts. Please Note: when the post counts for OT are turned off, the post count for members who have posted there will decrease as a result. Currently active 'for fun' threads will be moved to the new Chat Lounge as staff is able to dedicate the time, and some will be closed if they don't fit the new criteria. If you see threads that we missed moving, please send me links via PM
- We ask that new non-topic threads in the social sub-forum be kept to a minimum; rather than start new threads, please consider participating in those that are already active. The goal is to keep a few good fun discussions running vs. a multitude of nonsense pointless threads. This will help staff with maintenance and will also allow the social butterflies and the gearheads to co-exist amicably so all will be right with our world again!
- The new section will be a work in progress. In the meantime, staff will determine what is acceptable or unacceptable based on forum rules and these guidelines. If the post-whoring continues unchecked, we may remove ALL post counts. Please don't let it get to that point
- Effective Immediately: The main Off Topic section will be off limits to all social threads and will be for legitimate Off Topic, non-Challenger subject matter only. Social threads posted there will be moved, the OP will be warned once, and repeat offenders will be suspended or banned.
- Off Topic: is for legitimate subjects not Challenger-related
- The Garage: is for non-Challenger car discussions
- Chat Lounge: is for chit chat and 'just for fun' type threads
ALL members are expected to start new threads in the correct forum categories throughout the forum; this does not apply only in Off Topic!
- Effective Immediately: Ongoing thread hijacks with off topic banter MUST stop! We understand that there are occasions where it is natural to add an off topic comment along with your on-topic reply, however it is NEVER acceptable to completely derail a conversation; infractions or suspension will result. Members are asked to help us curtail this problem by reporting problem posts
- Effective Immediately: The insults, name-calling, and other personal attacks are out of control and MUST stop! An intelligent discussion of opposing views ALWAYS respects the rights of the person whose views you may disagree with. Those who can’t follow this “Golden Rule” philosophy are not welcome to continue assaulting our readers with their venom. Please report problem posts
- Effective Immediately: The topic of politics is no longer permitted on ChallengerTalk, including in Off Topic. There are plenty of forums out there for politics and we ask our members to take those discussions elsewhere as it has led to far too many complaints here. The same goes for discussions of a sexual nature, which are also inappropriate for a Challenger discussion forum… take it private or to a forum designed for that type of discussion. Existing threads/posts of either type will be removed as they are discovered; new threads/posts will earn a warning for the OP, followed by suspension or ban for repeat offenders. Please send me links via PM for anything we may have missed removing and use the “report post” feature for any new ones created after today
- Effective immediately: the vBexperience post statistics and awards feature will be disabled. Besides the fact that it generated post count competition that led to some of the problems we have had lately, it also was generally not well understood and raised many questions and concerns as a result
You are welcome to share your thoughts in this thread but, for the sake of discussion, please know that adding a chat room is NOT an option. We have had them on other sites with nothing but problems. For anyone wanting to have real time discussion, Instant Messaging offers a suitable alternative and there is a place to list your IM addresses in your profile for that purpose.
We are counting on each of you to do your part to assist us in making these improvements work...
Thanks, in advance for your assistance and cooperation with this project so that EVERYONE can get what they want and need from their forum experience with us!
ALERT: ChallengerTalk Needs the Help of EVERY Member...
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