(Poll) play.net forums

[Deathravin]

Just a poll to see how people really feel about the official play.net forum site. Discuss them, things they do well, things they can improve on. etc.

[Bobmuhthol]

The actual forum software in terms of the layout, flexibility, and structure is so atrocious that I never bothered taking it seriously.

[Gan]

Forum software (platform) sucks. Not being able to edit a post sucks. Not having a usable search tool sucks. The only time I surf is when I'm looking for specific information and see something I wish to respond to. (empath folder, rogue folder, merchant market, or a complaing I want to bitch about)

Edited: (Because I cant edit on the officials)

Also the over moderation on the officials suck.

[mgoddess]

I dislike the software/platform they're on... not being able to edit posts, searching, etc. etc. The forums are *very* clunky, IMHO.

I also only keep track of certain folders/threads, because of the clunkiness (as well as the fact that I just don't care about some folders/threads).

[Deathravin]

I would certainly agree about the platform. I'm not sure if it is the size of the company or just generally poor business goals, but they need a few more departments over there at Simu.

A full-time webmaster staff to keep the web site up to date.
A PR and Marketing department.
And a team who constantly updates their technology to current standards (forums, billing, servers, network, and tools in general)


The people, and the information on the forums is top-knotch. But I think if they took a more modern approach, it would be somewhere more people would be willing to go.

I think it's made for forum trolls, who sit on the forums all day long and stay up to date with every post. It's not geared toward the average reader IMHO.

[Celephais]

The information isn't terrible... but it's not worth it for several reasons:
Nazi like admins
Terrible search functionality
Layout is bad
Posts deleted when too old
Good information not saved/can get it elsewhere, because if it's "good enough" it ends up on the PC or Krakii.
The trolls and whining is ridiculous despite the nazi admining.

[Davenshire]

I'd have to say very much dislike. The main reason is its so difficult to locate information. no search option, some folders ou dont even bother checking. they could really use someone taking care of the website and updating pages etc...

I do find it helpful from time to time, but it could be a lot easier to use.

[The Ponzzz]

If a SEARCH feature was added, I'd love it, but the platform is the only thing that gets me.

Info wise, lots of useful posts.

[Zarli]

I rarely go to the forums because it seems like it takes me hours to find anything and I dont have the time nor desire to sit and read through 100 posts trying to find something, so a search engine would help for sure. Honestly, I wish they were set up more like PC and other forums of this type, it's so much easier to read and go through. I'd love to be able to participate in discussions but with it being so jumbled and hard to find my way around them, I probably wont ever make the attempt.

[Bobmuhthol]

I haven't been to the forum in a good while, but IIRC, aren't there multiple threads going on in the same page, so you're looking at a bunch of different conversations at once? That always annoyed me more than anything else because it was a giant distraction on being able to actually read something when I found it.

[Celephais]

I haven't been to the forum in a good while, but IIRC, aren't there multiple threads going on in the same page, so you're looking at a bunch of different conversations at once? That always annoyed me more than anything else because it was a giant distraction on being able to actually read something when I found it.

Yup all in the same page... and the quoting mechnism is terrible so people don't really string their threads too well

[The Ponzzz]

You can group them if you want. I have mine grouped and collapsed when I view them.

[Drew]

The information isn't terrible... but it's not worth it for several reasons:
Nazi like admins
Terrible search functionality
Layout is bad
Posts deleted when too old
Good information not saved/can get it elsewhere, because if it's "good enough" it ends up on the PC or Krakii.
The trolls and whining is ridiculous despite the nazi admining.



QFT


Good info, horrible layout.

[Stanley Burrell]

All I know is that if I was still on dial-up, a "remember me" cookie with a posts per page thingamajig'd be pretty nice.

I don't have any immediate problems with the play.net forums whatsoever.

Ahem.

[SpunGirl]

The layout sucks. I'm so used to using these forums that I only read a few select folders on the officials. That and a few select asshat posters are what makes the PC far better.

-K

[Celephais]

The layout sucks. I'm so used to using these forums that I only read a few select folders on the officials. That and a few select asshat posters are what makes the PC far better.

-K

How come my first instinct when reading that made me think that the few select asshats here on the PC are what give it it's edge?

Oh and... YAAAAAAAAAY sig.

[SpunGirl]

Hahaha. Well, the difference is that I can tell any PC asshats exactly what I think of them, in very vivid detail. If Iscikella would start posting here that would make things fun.

-K

[Gan]

I think its funny when GM's from SIMU post here on the PC. Their tone is COMPLETELY different for most part as compared to that on the officials, since they cant be all godly and smite their offenders with their uber-censor powers.

[Thalisa]

I hate the platform. HATE it. I came back after a ten year hiatus and it was impossible to find anything. Old posts are deleted, which irks me to no end. Not all forums are super active, like the deity boards, but I'm sure there WAS good information there at one point, damned if I can get at it though. The forums that are active, you can't find anything without a search functionality.

So, yeah, the official boards blow on the sole principal the platform sucks. There are a lot of knowledgable players looking to help and share information, but unless you live on every single board, good luck actually finding what you're looking for.

[The Ponzzz]

I know someone archieves the forums over there, and use to have it on a site somewhere. No clue who does it anymore or if it's for public eyes. Could have been a few people doing it.

I know this solves no problems, just wanted to add that.

[Fallen]

I read them daily. The format is indeed terrible. Why they choose not to update I cannot know. The information and access to GMs/good intel is very useful. I always try to X-post the useful information I come across here.

This site's drawback is all of the off-topic stuff in which I dont really have an interest. Simple enough to skip, though.

[grapedog]

You can group them if you want. I have mine grouped and collapsed when I view them.

I got them collapsed, with date descending i think, so the newest posts are at the top at least...but I didn't see how you could group them.

The forum structure absolutely sucks ass...it's ridiculous how poorly they are designed in this day and age.

Good info though...

[Gan]

I read them daily. The format is indeed terrible. Why they choose not to update I cannot know. The information and access to GMs/good intel is very useful. I always try to X-post the useful information I come across here.

This site's drawback is all of the off-topic stuff in which I dont really have an interest. Simple enough to skip, though.

Basically I think that the reason why they dont update where the forums would contain ALL the past info posted (including the posts from the GM's) is so that their posts cant come back to haunt them at a later date when things turn out differently than what they stated.

[StrayRogue]

I only ever checked one folder (the 10 mil+ Marketplace one). The rest of it is populated by idiots and moderated by idiots.

[The Ponzzz]

Yea, collapsed and grouped by subject ascending is how I have it.

[Back]

I used to read the mobile version on my regular web browser for easier comprehension and faster loading.

[Asha]

10m + market / Rogue folder / Towns - RR
I don't care about any other threads and tbh I don't check those I do, more than say twice a month.

[Fallen]

Good folders to watch are the Hunting and Combat, and game design.

[Rue]

The forum software in terms of the layout, flexibility, and structure is so atrocious that it makes it a pain in the ass to read and/or post.

I try constantly due to the fact that it does have excellent info, but short of getting the info on the day it is posted, it is differicult to retrieve, unless you know what your searching for.

Rue~

[Timjirdos]

To loosely quote adam sandler: That forum sucks sheet.