Animation Source Forums

I'd like to commend Steet for creating this board. This was my suggestion, as a way of allowing a place for people to work out their differences, and also for people to vent their spleens about things which bother them about the site, and the way it is administered and managed.

I am sure it took some personal deliberation for Steet to create this...because it could easily open up a can of worms IF it is misused or abused. At its best, this board will help to alleviate some of the stress and anger people have felt, for various reasons, which have troubled this site and divided the members. I hope it will help heal the rifts, and bring us back together as a community of Balto fans. I think many of us have forgotten what that means.

There are many internet forums which have boards like this. And each of them is tightly-moderated. So I am sure this one will be too. And so it should be. However, I also hope the moderators will allow people to vent openly, so long as that venting never is allowed to devolve into flaming, bullying, or cheap shots. THOSE don't belong here. But if we're going to HEAL the fighting, stress and anger floating around Balto Source, people NEED to work it out...and here is where that should happen.

If we all can use this resource with DECENCY, SELF-CONTROL, and INTELLIGENCE, then it will remain here. So long as there is no attempt at flaming or bullying, or throwing of cheap shots, then there shouldn't be any problems. Here you should be able to state what's on your mind without worrying about a mod rushing to lock the topic, or delete it (or a post).

But make sure you FOLLOW THE FREAKIN' RULES! 'Kay? Hmm? Thanks!

This is a really great idea,and this is a wonderful forum,that's why I came back to it,although I don't know what made me leave to begin with. -Celtic Aleu

Well, no, I don't agree. To me the two sections are very distinct from each other.

The suggestions section is for suggesting things that could be improved in the site functions (such as, for example, adding a message to know which fanart artists take trades.) This is for improving functions on the site, nothing personal.

This board is made so that you can solve personal problems with the mods. For example, when someone keep spamming a fanart gallery with insults.
I know there is a rule about "not resolving personal problems on the site", but I thought it would be clear that this section would be an exception. It would be the place where we would try to move all the fights. (because, as I said, we can't really prevent them by just closing the topics)

So, before saying that this won't work, let just try and see.

Woa this is new. Nice idea.

Yeah, awesome move on Steet's part. If only Gothic Princess were still here to see this...she would be in her absolute glory.

Look gang...suggestions are one thing, and have no negative connotation to them (in almost every case).

The description of the "Suggestions" folder reads: "This is the section for suggesting things about the site. Improvements, ideas...Tell us here! Do not ask questions here, there is a dedicated section on the site."

The description of the "Rant Board" folder reads: "Are you bothered by something? Do you have problems with someone or something on this site? Try letting out your thoughts here, in order to solve the problems with the help of the mods."

I see a very clear difference. The Rant Board folder's intent is:

1. to help resolve problems between two or more members

2. to allow members to field complaints or negative issues about the site, or something that happened in a section OF the site

3. to allow members to express their disagreement with the site administrators and moderators

4. to VENT about something that's bothering them (without stooping to cheap insults, flaming and bullying)

None of these things can really be done (and aren't SUPPOSED to be done) in the Suggestions folder. To do so would result in an argument, and/or an eventual locking of the topic. Reasonably so. But in the RANT BOARD, mods need to realize that they cannot so quickly rush to lock a topic in which there is debate or even argument. Neither debate NOR argument is bad or unhealthy unless it devolves into flaming and bullying. And they (and everyone ELSE) must be prepared to deal with negative comments and posts, and not respond with "gee, we've heard this a hundred times before" or "you should leave if you don't like it" or else people rallying to the support of a friend - mod or not - because those people didn't like what another said about that person.

As has been said by both myself and Steet, if there is going to be a way of healing any rifts, or bringing people (hopefully) back together, this is a primary means of doing so.

The two sections are quite different. One is positively and constructively-oriented (the Suggestion folder). The other is, admittedly, negatively oriented, but still CAN be constructive IF utilized properly, and moderated VERY carefully and judiciously.

So.What we taling about you guys?

Uh, try reading over the rest of the topic. Nobody likes useless posts, and I'll let that one slide, but next time, a useless post will be deleted.

Just a suggestion, but dont you think you should delet it?

Anyways. I really do like this board. I havent had a chance to use it yet, but I plan too. :3 Trust me, I will.

I have always thought something like this would be nice, but never thought Steet would go for it. After all, we have always tried to keep down the fights on Balto Source. But I do like this idea. ;D I thank you BaltoSeppala. Of course, you rock.

And truely, I hope this section works out. :33 Because it is fun to rant. Or flame. Flaming is fun. Bad for the site, but fun fun fun. Not that I will be flaming anyone. .__. Anyways...

Great idea, Seppala!


---Jack~MH

Heh heh...thanks Maya. Well, I must be honest...I'm pleasantly-surprised at how well everyone's behaved while posting in this board! So far, there hasn't been ONE fight, not ONE flame war (and a potential one was doused before it could take off, thankfully). That's a credit to everyone who's posted here, or read the posts and decided to play nice anyway, and leave well enough alone.

There was plenty of trepidation about this when I proposed it. Steet had his reservations (understandably), and so did a few of the mods. The fear was that this would become a haven for flame wars and petty arguments. That certainly was my concern too.

It was said, by those who had concerns, that the "Suggestions" board could easily fill the functions of this one. But that is not so. The Suggestions board is a place for people to submit their ideas to Steet about what they'd like to see on the site, or to other members to assist them with things. THIS board, however, is a place for people to vent their spleens about what's bothering them. There is a different connotation and purpose to each board. And I think we all see that now.

And it's worked better than I ever hoped it would! And I am sure Steet's surprised (and relieved) as well. And the global mods. Conflicts and issues have been resolved here...and without fights. That's part of the reason why I asked for its creation...to help resolve conflicts...and to give people a place they could VENT without fear of being silenced or banned as quickly as normal in the forums. Of course, if they act stupidly here, or break the rules, then they should be silenced (or their topics should be locked). Again, that only happened once so far, and it was dealt with (quite effectively, by DrewTheWolf) before it could get bad.

But thanks again! It's my second recommendation to Steet that has bore fruit. And while not as active as some other boards, both have done a great service, and do get activity and views!

I didn't delete it because I haven't seen her make a useless post before. I will, however, notify her of her animated avatar...

Alright, I'll follow the "Freakin' Rules" XD

And I have this to say to the people reading this: Flame wars are a no-no, m'kay? we don't need them. Nor do we need usless posts XD

Yes, I agree with Steet, People seem to be posting things such as this person spammed in my gallery. The rant board was meant for posting things such as adding something on the site that needs to be there.