let make it 10 years it would be better -_-

 

Disagree on the thread creation limit. For one, while these topics may not be up to the usual standard of what DLP is about, they can garner replies that are actually decent content. (And if not, that's what the Hall of Shame is for.) For another, it's an easy warning system that can help in keeping DLP as elitist and snobbish as it is - assimilate or git hammered.

 

The first 5 posts for a new member can't be a new thread.

This forces them to provide meaningful comments and content to other aspects of the site, and if they are clearly trolling in their first few posts we won't get any stupidly long threads where there is constant idiocy, the warner threads for example.

 

How about we just have the council of DLP elders judge new users to see if they are worthy to post new threads.

 

Why do we need rules for this ? I mean really, I don't mind ppl starting idiot threats it helps DLP, they get banned sooner. What more some ppl don't understand some shit so there is still ways to help (explain how things are).

 

I was thinking a quiz that would test new users on canon knowledge. If they'll try cheating by consulting the books, at least they'll learn something and let go of some misconceptions.

I think a period of waiting is better that just a post cap, because a post cap would only mean more retarded spam.

 

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but what are the thoughts on adding a section in WBA for help with nonfiction or Academic papers?

DLP is obviously useful for creating writing, but help in academic writing could be great!

 

Cheating is a problem. As well as plagarism.

 

Eh I could see it...but honestly if that's the case why do we post any of our original fiction here.

There is a line between cheating and tutoring though. My friends and I edit each other's papers all the time.

 

But then someone can copy your work word for word and pass it on for a grade. There's a difference.

 

I don't think cheating or plagiarism would be the biggest issues, but simply one of interest. We've had such threads a few times, and they've not received much attention. Institutions possess software tools that can detect plagiarism now, and I don't see any reason to censor ourselves for fear that someone will throw away their education by taking that risk. I don't want such a section to become homework help for high schoolers though. Either way, I doubt it'll go forward.

On an earlier note, making it harder to engage is one if the things that kills communities. There are members who made accounts only to post a thread and discuss it, and then ended up sticking around long term. The more barriers you put in a user's way, the more you harm the chances of developing the user base. The five post limit for wba is for several reasons, but even it is an imperfect solution. I don't want to have a new or potential user feel discouraged from posting a thread because they can't be trusted to not be shitty. This is what mods are for, and the community does a fine job self policing.

 

Two things have always stood out for me that are relevant to this idea.

First, the DLP regular user base has a pretty diverse spectrum of interests, qualifications and professions, and in the twelve years I've been around the site, it's only gotten better with age.

Second, if you ask nicely, people are generally happy to talk about things and help out. If users want to talk about academics, the RL Questions thread or IRC are places you'll probably find a receptive ear.

For reasons discussed above, about the general level of sustainable interest, or the possibility of a permanently available archive becoming a crutch, I don't think an Academics-type subforum is the best idea.

But that doesn't mean you can't bring it up elsewhere.

 

A brief idea. Two posting writers, possibly with a third as a moderator/judge. The writers have to use their creative writing skills to write out a convincing magical battle. Each writer is writing for the opposite side in alternating posts. Combination of role-play, creative writing and tactics, with someone judging the work.

ElMarquis.

 

I don't think it was mentioned, but for thread ratings I think it would be good to move beyond a 1/5 star system.

 

Agreed. Only thing I could think of is to take it to a 1-10 star thing and that's redundant. Or picking a % grade which seems asinine. When you get down to it, who cares if it's 3 stars of 6 stars or 63%? We know what you mean

 

I'm actually with Oz on this one. I don't remember where I read it, but when asking an opinion question with an odd number of choices (1->5), people will have a tendency to pick the answer in the middle when indecisive. Whereas if you offer an even number of choices, people will have a tendency to answer more truthfully since there is no middle ground.

 

I like this idea, actually. The current system struggles with a fairly arbitrary cutoff and each individual having a different idea of what each number means. Like, even when two people completely agree on a story they could give it a different rating just because they think the threshold to get a 4 star or whatever is different. Making it a yes/no vote makes library entry less arbitrary.