Animation Source Forums

No problem. Glad to help.

Something else has just come to mind, though. What if, say, there was an activation process to be able to use the shoutbox? For example, you have a new member. They could not utilize the shoutbox until they had [insert number] posts. At that time, a notification would be sent to the shoutbox mods that this member is eligible to use the shoutbox, and the moderator could double check the member's posts and such to see if they can use the shoutbox feature in a mature manner. Just a thought.

Hey, not just your ideas, but all the others may be useful one day. I like how you think, Ghost. =P

I too find much of the behavior I've seen in the SB quite unacceptable. In the case of younger members who don't know any better, it's forgivable. But people who are old enough to go better are, more and more, stepping into areas which are unacceptable and intolerable on a website meant to be safe for all ages. Something needs to be done.

agreed, we think alike

chemical phantasm, i liked that one idea you brought up earlier about new members having to take a quiz on the rules. it may sound extreme to some, but whatever will keep the monkeys under control, needs to happen.

Another good point. Balto is targeted for the younger masses, such as those who are at most 12 or 13. Since these young people have not yet reached mental maturity, they are more than likely to start fights and cause trouble. I, too, was like that when i was younger. . It's too much for the mods to handle the countless numbers of new members coming on, but at least having more people to support my initiative is more than appreciated. =]

Thanks, Warrior, I'm glad indeed that you agree with me and what i'm trying to do. =}. These people need to learn discipline, and I should be the one to teach it to them.

Yess! Oh finally someone CARES about this site's sb behavior! Woot woot! I salut you

i agree with you chem

Chem- I was putting some thought into something you said earlier about the private message right as they joined. If they didn't choose to read it, then the whole "I couldn't find it" excuse wouldn't work anymore. Because I do have to admit, it is in a bit of a tough place to find. The only reason that works is because we have to give them the benefit of the doubt, since they may not be here for the forum. Just my $.02.

Yes, that is true. I went through that, when I was 10-11. I still do, a little bit, now. Not much. Anyway, I agree with, ghost unit. His idea of erning the shoutbox.

Actually, most of the people who display these intolerable behaviors are older members.

The rant seems to come in two parts:
1. Members breaking rules on the Shoutbox
and
2. Members not breaking the rules on the Shoutboxes, but being 'immature', 'annoying', 'posting useless comments', 'messing up auras', etc etc (pardon if I didn't mention all the famous sayings).

I don't think it would make much sense to discuss the whole rule breaking problem, since it's been discussed all over from all sides so I'd simply be repeating things, so I will limit myself to #2. As to linking #1 and #2, one must remember that what is asked of more 'mature' individuals are two main constituents of maturity: understanding and patience.

And, as always, if someone behaves in any irrespectable or inapropriate way, please report this to the moderators. You really cannot complain about nothing being done if you haven't sent such a report. We dislike things on the shoutboxes that disrupt the quality of conversation just as much as any of you.

Now, to #2.
True, the site is for all ages, and coming on here one must accept that. Age difference means difference in opinions, and to older people that of the younger may seem very useless at times. However, there are enough youngsters on here who do successfully converse with each other.
Now, that can however be applied for the children mature in their own age, or, thoughtful ones indeed.
Naturally of course, there is a large population of both very young and older members who do in fact, at times, ruin 'some sort of aura' because of useless comments, seemingly irrelevant 'beggings' for attention and accusations, or simply such things that could, at their basic value, be classified as spam.

Someone here said that Balto was targeted towards children aged 10-12, however, at least a few years back a poll showed that the majority of fans visiting this site was aged around 16 on average; note: on average (which indicates quite a few both under 16 and over 16). Now, as for the sequels... Might be another story.

There are people in all major age groups on the site who can converse in a way that would be enjoyable for their thought-companions, but the problem seems to be that plenty have simply abandoned the shoutboxes because of the both younger and older participants who grant no 'mature' company to these people.
However, really, there is only one thing that can be done. People you find 'mature' can find a time to talk on the Shoutboxes, or invite those who do to come over from the forums some time.

The site is for everyone (well, except for those who do not follow the rules) and what each of you finds 'mature' is very subjective. Everyone is different, one simply has to accept that. Handing out personality rules would simply be inhumane, and we'd probably all get sued.
It's hard of course, I personally miss the old conversations on the shoutboxes quite a lot, back in the days of sprouting grass. However, although more never than ever, there are times when one can track down the people one terms as 'mature' and 'right' for a conversation on the shoutboxes. And there are some ways to get around it, although with all the time differences it tends to get tedious.
Besides, so far Shoutboxes go, it is a lot easier for anyone to post anything, that's why plenty of people have moved, and remained in the forums.

One just has to remember, what for someone is 'immature' is 'mature' for someone else, so really, it's just one of those junks one has to swallow once when steps out into the world.

I guess this behavior is more due the multiple ways of thinking and difference between humans and the way they percept certain things. Some people do these spamming and massive SMS for "teh lulz" -> As for fun. They entertain themselves with it. And as one of the Moderators tries to stop them they get all angered for interrupting their fun. And obviously blame them for it.
I doubt the rules are weakly enforced, in contrary they are vaguely too strictly taken. And I also doubt that the lack of mods is the problem, a big number of ShoutBox Mods or Ordinary Forum-site mods wouldn't help at all.
Of course. The Shoutbox is supposed to be taken as a World wide chatroom.
Have to deal with the fact that this community has grown, and it will grow.
Sure you can blame the Mods. Blame them for they're human. (this includes the mistakes they unintentionally make)

People should try to not mix their personal problems with their professional. (especially directed to mods)

ALSO.

I don't mean this post to be taken as an offensive comment. But I have to add that the Webmaster should be the one responsible of picking mods. Can't say xyz is amazing and abc is doing a bad job, however, some of them are kind of unsuitable for it. As the Cap'n said, ages do influence the actions that take part on the site.
Personalities are wide, and the world is small.