Proposal for New USMB "Invite Only" Threads.

[AyeCantSeeYou]

USMB Mod Staff is preparing to roll out a new feature. This is a TRIAL, not a guarantee that it will work out. The success of this concept depends largely on the ability of our members to "self-moderate" themselves and cooperate with the rules for this feature. It is NOT open yet. THis is an opportunity to comment on the plan and the rules. The explanation here is LONG. So if you tl;dr it -- this feature is probably not gonna work for you..

The feature is having "Invite Only" threads. They will all reside in the Structured Debate forum for now. For those of you not familiar with the Struct Debate forum, it's a place where the OP can stipulate an ADDITIONAL 3 rules for the thread participants in addition to normal Zone2 moderation. You will be able to still use the ORIGINAL Struct Debate rules OR create an Invite Only thread that meets all the guidelines below.

The concept is that any member can start a thread on any topic that would be acceptable in Zone2 or Zone3 and choose 12 people to "invite in" for the discussion. Sorting out the invites and who are people you want and trust is all on you.. In the future, the number of invites may increase and I've tested that at LEAST 25 are possible.

Read the guidelines carefully. They are more complicated than other forums and we must get compliance on every one of them to make this work. I honestly believe this could be the most popular feature on USMB and give folks a break from being constantly on the front lines of a very nasty Amer. political divide while having to deal with Mega trolls and Ultra partisan Battle Bots. It's NOT a safe zone. It's NOT a "chat room" or clubhouse. These are topical discussions meant to promote more uninterrupted adult discussion.

Comments/suggestions are welcome -- but stick to discussing this feature and the rules.

Rules for Posting "Invite Only" Threads -------- Forum not opened yet !!!!

For an "Invite Only" thread in the Structured Debate Forum ---- where OPs have always been allowed to stipulate 3 additional rules of their own. Under an "Invite Only" format this will automatically adopt 2 rules automatically -- you need not specify these..

Make Rule One that Site Wide Rules apply and threads will be Zone3 moderated

In addition -->
-- flaming or mention of ANY MEMBER (including moderators) who is not in the Invite list is not allowed. Not even by pseudonames or pet names. You want to flame USMB members, don't whimp out. Take it to the Flame Zone where they can flame back. You want to go 9 rounds with another member -- take it to the Bull Ring.

Make Rule Two be to include an "Invite List" of mention alerts (like @FCT @DTMB @catpaws) embedded in the OP for everyone to see. Can be anywhere in the Opening Post AFTER the Bold Red "Invite Only" warning.

Make Rule Three ---- any one additional rule that the OP desires to specify that does not violate the Site Wide or Zone3 rules.. If you WANT to make an additional rule -- place it near the TOP of the Opening Post after the red and bold "invite" required warning (see below).

You could still use the Structured Debate forum under the original Guidelines or use it for Invite Only threads.


Other guidance for members using the Structured Debate Forum under Invite Only rules would be:

- The first line of the OP MUST BE the following statement in Red Bold..

This is an Invite Only thread. If your member name does not appear in the alert call list -- DO NOT POST HERE -- do not even use the rating buttons on posts in this thread.

- simply and politely tell intruders the rules and ask them to leave. Then report them if they dont. Moderators will thread ban any intruders automatically. If it's chronic abuse, warnings and other sanctions may be applied.

- these threads WILL BE closed if members NOT on the Invite list are flamed or named in any way.. (Maybe some requested mod help for those that slip up once if someone REQUESTS a post deletion)

-- no material from these threads LEAVES those threads to be quoted elsewhere on the boards. This applies to both invited and uninvited members. Moderators should not MERGE or MOVE any threads out of or into the Structured Debate forum.

-- Moderation will NOT add members to the invite list or delete members from the invite list or recognize any additions NOT in the Opening Posts ----- so get it right in the Opening Post. Similarly Moderators will not eject invited members from an existing thread except for violations of the Invite Only rules. Live and Learn. Make another thread. And behave like a good guest if you want to be in Invite Only threads. How an OP decides how an invite list is created is SOLELY up to the person who creates the Opening Post.

-- if a person is alerted to one of your threads and requests in that thread that you DO NOT invite again, please respect that request. Who gets invites is solely up to the membership to sort out. But keep a list of those who DO NOT want to participate in the invite threads that you create.

- We're gonna start out with a limit of 12 invites per thread until everybody is familiar with the rules and bugs are shaken out of the rules. Moderation MAY increase that number in the future..

- Topic control is STILL in effect. So don't forget a specific Title and OP like any other Z2 or Z3 thread. These are discussion topics, not chat rooms. The purpose is to get better TOPICAL discussion. Make the Title and OP thematic or fairly narrow. Moderation will cut a LOT of slack on friendly personal banter -- but the TOPIC needs to be respected. Moderation may close if the topic is nowhere in sight.

Love the idea. Few questions/request.

Is there a way we will be able (or create) a notification that lets you know if you’ve been invited?

What if in the creation of the thread, the OP forgets to add someone in the initial invite. Will there be a way to add them in a later post?

No, you can't add someone in later on the invite list. That means you need to think it out and get it right the first time.

To notify members, you simply type in the symbol @ in front of their username.

 

[eagle1462010]

USMB Mod Staff is preparing to roll out a new feature. This is a TRIAL, not a guarantee that it will work out. The success of this concept depends largely on the ability of our members to "self-moderate" themselves and cooperate with the rules for this feature. It is NOT open yet. THis is an opportunity to comment on the plan and the rules. The explanation here is LONG. So if you tl;dr it -- this feature is probably not gonna work for you..

The feature is having "Invite Only" threads. They will all reside in the Structured Debate forum for now. For those of you not familiar with the Struct Debate forum, it's a place where the OP can stipulate an ADDITIONAL 3 rules for the thread participants in addition to normal Zone2 moderation. You will be able to still use the ORIGINAL Struct Debate rules OR create an Invite Only thread that meets all the guidelines below.

The concept is that any member can start a thread on any topic that would be acceptable in Zone2 or Zone3 and choose 12 people to "invite in" for the discussion. Sorting out the invites and who are people you want and trust is all on you.. In the future, the number of invites may increase and I've tested that at LEAST 25 are possible.

Read the guidelines carefully. They are more complicated than other forums and we must get compliance on every one of them to make this work. I honestly believe this could be the most popular feature on USMB and give folks a break from being constantly on the front lines of a very nasty Amer. political divide while having to deal with Mega trolls and Ultra partisan Battle Bots. It's NOT a safe zone. It's NOT a "chat room" or clubhouse. These are topical discussions meant to promote more uninterrupted adult discussion.

Comments/suggestions are welcome -- but stick to discussing this feature and the rules.

Rules for Posting "Invite Only" Threads -------- Forum not opened yet !!!!

For an "Invite Only" thread in the Structured Debate Forum ---- where OPs have always been allowed to stipulate 3 additional rules of their own. Under an "Invite Only" format this will automatically adopt 2 rules automatically -- you need not specify these..

Make Rule One that Site Wide Rules apply and threads will be Zone3 moderated

In addition -->
-- flaming or mention of ANY MEMBER (including moderators) who is not in the Invite list is not allowed. Not even by pseudonames or pet names. You want to flame USMB members, don't whimp out. Take it to the Flame Zone where they can flame back. You want to go 9 rounds with another member -- take it to the Bull Ring.

Make Rule Two be to include an "Invite List" of mention alerts (like @FCT @DTMB @catpaws) embedded in the OP for everyone to see. Can be anywhere in the Opening Post AFTER the Bold Red "Invite Only" warning.

Make Rule Three ---- any one additional rule that the OP desires to specify that does not violate the Site Wide or Zone3 rules.. If you WANT to make an additional rule -- place it near the TOP of the Opening Post after the red and bold "invite" required warning (see below).

You could still use the Structured Debate forum under the original Guidelines or use it for Invite Only threads.


Other guidance for members using the Structured Debate Forum under Invite Only rules would be:

- The first line of the OP MUST BE the following statement in Red Bold..

This is an Invite Only thread. If your member name does not appear in the alert call list -- DO NOT POST HERE -- do not even use the rating buttons on posts in this thread.

- simply and politely tell intruders the rules and ask them to leave. Then report them if they dont. Moderators will thread ban any intruders automatically. If it's chronic abuse, warnings and other sanctions may be applied.

- these threads WILL BE closed if members NOT on the Invite list are flamed or named in any way.. (Maybe some requested mod help for those that slip up once if someone REQUESTS a post deletion)

-- no material from these threads LEAVES those threads to be quoted elsewhere on the boards. This applies to both invited and uninvited members. Moderators should not MERGE or MOVE any threads out of or into the Structured Debate forum.

-- Moderation will NOT add members to the invite list or delete members from the invite list or recognize any additions NOT in the Opening Posts ----- so get it right in the Opening Post. Similarly Moderators will not eject invited members from an existing thread except for violations of the Invite Only rules. Live and Learn. Make another thread. And behave like a good guest if you want to be in Invite Only threads. How an OP decides how an invite list is created is SOLELY up to the person who creates the Opening Post.

-- if a person is alerted to one of your threads and requests in that thread that you DO NOT invite again, please respect that request. Who gets invites is solely up to the membership to sort out. But keep a list of those who DO NOT want to participate in the invite threads that you create.

- We're gonna start out with a limit of 12 invites per thread until everybody is familiar with the rules and bugs are shaken out of the rules. Moderation MAY increase that number in the future..

- Topic control is STILL in effect. So don't forget a specific Title and OP like any other Z2 or Z3 thread. These are discussion topics, not chat rooms. The purpose is to get better TOPICAL discussion. Make the Title and OP thematic or fairly narrow. Moderation will cut a LOT of slack on friendly personal banter -- but the TOPIC needs to be respected. Moderation may close if the topic is nowhere in sight.

Love the idea. Few questions/request.

Is there a way we will be able (or create) a notification that lets you know if you’ve been invited?

What if in the creation of the thread, the OP forgets to add someone in the initial invite. Will there be a way to add them in a later post?

No, you can't add someone in later on the invite list. That means you need to think it out and get it right the first time.

To notify members, you simply type in the symbol @ in front of their username.

Is that how the invite is going to work..............

AyeCantSeeYou testing..........testing...........

 

[Natural Citizen]

It CAN be. Depends on who you're "comfortable" discussing with. You want to be a parrot head or ditto head -- fine. I'm hoping it will go further than that. Anybody uses it AS an echo chamber is in safe space. Others just want a smaller good discussion without the taggers and peanut gallery noise - NOT a "safe space"..

Really, it is just a safe space. And that's fine. Whatever. The reality of online debate is everyone is limited to their own capacity to understand things or to even ask complex questions. And often people want to hear what they want to hear ,regardless. People want to frame the terms of controversy the way they want them framed. And people want to be around others whom they find agreeable. Is what it is. Human nature, I suppose. I'm not on here enough to care. Just in brief spurts every year or so.

 

[Dogmaphobe]

No more a safe space than a candidate debate stage or Congressional committee hearing. Think of it as a private party. Can get testy and rowdy. But folks will probably leave as friends. Am I a dreamer or what?

So, how do you keep people from crashing the party?

That was a real problem in Tilly's private group about international terrorism.

 

[Coyote]

No more a safe space than a candidate debate stage or Congressional committee hearing. Think of it as a private party. Can get testy and rowdy. But folks will probably leave as friends. Am I a dreamer or what?

So, how do you keep people from crashing the party?

That was a real problem in Tilly's private group about international terrorism.

You ask them to leave. When Tilly, the owner of the forum asked me to leave I did. Completely. You would be amazed at how well simply being nice can work. You can also report them and we will thread ban them.

 

[ChrisL]

It seems pretty sad that some people have to form a private group in order to have a discussion without their content being brought into the flamer zone and used to personally attack them. The real problem is that you encourage the behavior and then try to put a cork in it in your specific "zones."

 

[Picaro]

I never go to the 'Flame Zone', except by accident. What's so special about it that's different from the 'regular' forums? Not much else but fake news, spam, and lies and memes in the top forums.

 

[ChrisL]

I never go to the 'Flame Zone', except by accident. What's so special about it?

Nothing at all is special about it except it is a home for trolls provided for them by USMB. Apparently, USMB is concerned about losing some trolls if they were to take some actions against the flamers in the flame zone.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Depends on how it is used.
I 100% agree with flacalten that there is no real, honest debate/discussion here or anywhere else for that matter. In America all political discussion has turned into rock throwing contests.
It would be awesome if there was a place for the few people who actually want to discuss intelligently and not turn every thread into yet another pointless "your side sucks, no yours does, no yours, no...."
But, I fear it would only be used for circle jerking and troll posting. we have Clean Debate Zone for that.
So unless there is some methods put in place to encourage OP's to include people from both sides....it will just be CDZ with limited access.
Instead, why not have an area where people who want to actually discuss, and not just throw rocks?
Basically a private forum.

 

[Wyatt earp]

Are posters from other boards saying that USMB is corroding their language? Are they going to FB and saying "Hey, I can say that on USMB!"
I agree with you, by the way, that we all have some responsibility for behaving like human beings, even if we are on social media.

Heck, I sure HOPE they are telling Google, Facebook, Twitter that "they can say that on USMB". That's why I'm hoping WE survive the political apocalypse and they don't. ( I can fantasize right?)

To be brutally honest -- this whole "invite only" feature is an attempt to position us a message board with relevance in the social media world. Doing it by REQUIRING some poster discipline and giving spaces for EVERY TYPE of conversion that folks want to have.

Honestly? It's way too much noise and conflict for me anymore. It's not increasing my learning about Current Events, the Enviro, Politics, Intl Relations in this kind of toxic national environment. The "shell shock" is constant. Everywhere you go. This "feature" is nothing more but an evil plot to make us LESS like the noise and spectable of Jerry Springer and a BIT more like "Crossfire". You young-uns go look that up ya hear...

Self-moderation, ability of self association, discipline, more moderate convos. I don't think the moderation problems are gonna be the "invited".. Pretty clear we're pissing off some people just by adding a CHOICE like this. Sorry kids. It's time to turn down the noise SOMEWHERE on USMB..

You've always been a dreamer, FCT. If you care what my opinion is, it sounds fine. Good luck.

Old Lady is going to be my first invite and the discussion will be about illegal immigration, gangs, cartels, the history, the future and anything she suggests is most likely incorrect...

Oh brother.

I suggest you accept the invite. Because Bruce's hor's doeurves are to die for. And you could take him in an alley fight anyways..

Ok if you are going to do this do it right, bring back the hammer of the old chat rooms

 

[Natural Citizen]

Depends on how it is used.

Here's likely how it will be used, regardless of what may otherwise be stated up front. You're going to get groups of very like minded people (say commies for instance) inviting each other into the group, then they're going to proceed to organize by filling their threads full of commie propaganda and you can't challenge it or do anything about it because you weren't 'invited.'

Now. After that, what's going to happen is that any new person that comes here is potentially at-risk for full scale indoctrination because the commies got safe spaces to spew their propaganda undeterred.

That's what's going to happen.

Of course, it could be any organized agenda. Doesn't have to be commies, per se.

 

[ChrisL]

Depends on how it is used.

Here's likely how it will be used, regardless of what may otherwise be stated up front. You're going to get groups of very like minded people (say commies for instance) inviting each other into the group, then they're going to proceed to organize by filling their threads full of commie propaganda and you can't challenge it or do anything about it because you weren't 'invited.'

Now. After that, what's going to happen is that any new person that comes here is potentially at-risk for full scale indoctrination because the commies got safe spaces to spew their propaganda undeterred.

That's what's going to happen.

Of course, it could be any organized agenda. Doesn't have to be commies, per se.

Well, I know there are some people here who would like a private area to discuss issues about themselves without it being dragged into the flame zone and mocked. There are people who have shared personal information in a place like the coffee shop only to be mocked in the flame zone for their problems, so that is the current state of affairs on this board. Don't talk about yourself or anything personal about yourself because there are people who are not above using that to try to hurt or mock you. Some people are not really here to recruit others into something (except to participate in mocking some poor person's personal tragedy), or even to discuss current issues or politics, believe it or not.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Depends on how it is used.

Here's likely how it will be used, regardless of what may otherwise be stated up front. You're going to get groups of very like minded people (say commies for instance) inviting each other into the group, then they're going to proceed to organize by filling their threads full of commie propaganda and you can't challenge it or do anything about it because you weren't 'invited.'

Now. After that, what's going to happen is that any new person that comes here is potentially at-risk for full scale indoctrination because the commies got safe spaces to spew their propaganda undeterred.

That's what's going to happen.

Of course, it could be any organized agenda. Doesn't have to be commies, per se.

Well, I know there are some people here who would like a private area to discuss issues about themselves without it being dragged into the flame zone and mocked. There are people who have shared personal information in a place like the coffee shop only to be mocked in the flame zone for their problems, so that is the current state of affairs on this board. Don't talk about yourself or anything personal about yourself because there are people who are not above using that to try to hurt or mock you. Some people are not really here to recruit others into something (except to participate in mocking some poor person's personal tragedy), or even to discuss current issues or politics, believe it or not.

It's already too fragmented here just because of the platform software. You can't really do anything constructive without vBulletin and its powerful tools.

I don't really tell strangers my business. There's no loyalty among thieves. But thanks for the advice.

 

[ChrisL]

Depends on how it is used.

Here's likely how it will be used, regardless of what may otherwise be stated up front. You're going to get groups of very like minded people (say commies for instance) inviting each other into the group, then they're going to proceed to organize by filling their threads full of commie propaganda and you can't challenge it or do anything about it because you weren't 'invited.'

Now. After that, what's going to happen is that any new person that comes here is potentially at-risk for full scale indoctrination because the commies got safe spaces to spew their propaganda undeterred.

That's what's going to happen.

Of course, it could be any organized agenda. Doesn't have to be commies, per se.

Well, I know there are some people here who would like a private area to discuss issues about themselves without it being dragged into the flame zone and mocked. There are people who have shared personal information in a place like the coffee shop only to be mocked in the flame zone for their problems, so that is the current state of affairs on this board. Don't talk about yourself or anything personal about yourself because there are people who are not above using that to try to hurt or mock you. Some people are not really here to recruit others into something (except to participate in mocking some poor person's personal tragedy), or even to discuss current issues or politics, believe it or not.

It's already too fragmented here just because of the platform software. You can't really do anything constructive without vBulletin and its powerful tools.

I don't really tell strangers my business. There's no loyalty among thieves. But thanks for the advice.

Not really giving advice as much as I am pointing out some facts. There are several people here who have shared things about their pets dying or having some really serious personal tragedies that have been dragged through the flame zone. I think that is the reason why some people would like to have a private forum.

 

[Bruce_T_Laney]

Are posters from other boards saying that USMB is corroding their language? Are they going to FB and saying "Hey, I can say that on USMB!"
I agree with you, by the way, that we all have some responsibility for behaving like human beings, even if we are on social media.

Heck, I sure HOPE they are telling Google, Facebook, Twitter that "they can say that on USMB". That's why I'm hoping WE survive the political apocalypse and they don't. ( I can fantasize right?)

To be brutally honest -- this whole "invite only" feature is an attempt to position us a message board with relevance in the social media world. Doing it by REQUIRING some poster discipline and giving spaces for EVERY TYPE of conversion that folks want to have.

Honestly? It's way too much noise and conflict for me anymore. It's not increasing my learning about Current Events, the Enviro, Politics, Intl Relations in this kind of toxic national environment. The "shell shock" is constant. Everywhere you go. This "feature" is nothing more but an evil plot to make us LESS like the noise and spectable of Jerry Springer and a BIT more like "Crossfire". You young-uns go look that up ya hear...

Self-moderation, ability of self association, discipline, more moderate convos. I don't think the moderation problems are gonna be the "invited".. Pretty clear we're pissing off some people just by adding a CHOICE like this. Sorry kids. It's time to turn down the noise SOMEWHERE on USMB..

You've always been a dreamer, FCT. If you care what my opinion is, it sounds fine. Good luck.

Old Lady is going to be my first invite and the discussion will be about illegal immigration, gangs, cartels, the history, the future and anything she suggests is most likely incorrect...

Oh brother.

I suggest you accept the invite. Because Bruce's hor's doeurves are to die for. And you could take him in an alley fight anyways..

As Billy Bob Thornton once said " I am a kicker and a screamer!!! "... Alamo

 

[Natural Citizen]

Not really giving advice as much as I am pointing out some facts. There are several people here who have shared things about their pets dying or having some really serious personal tragedies that have been dragged through the flame zone. I think that is the reason why some people would like to have a private forum.

...there will come times of difficulty.

Alright, then. Good luck to you.

 

[OldLady]

Depends on how it is used.
I 100% agree with flacalten that there is no real, honest debate/discussion here or anywhere else for that matter. In America all political discussion has turned into rock throwing contests.
It would be awesome if there was a place for the few people who actually want to discuss intelligently and not turn every thread into yet another pointless "your side sucks, no yours does, no yours, no...."
But, I fear it would only be used for circle jerking and troll posting. we have Clean Debate Zone for that.
So unless there is some methods put in place to encourage OP's to include people from both sides....it will just be CDZ with limited access.
Instead, why not have an area where people who want to actually discuss, and not just throw rocks?
Basically a private forum.

There is some honest debate/discussion here. The trick is to not take the bait from the trolls and continue to discuss the issue with others who are willing to stay focused on the topic. It can happen and it does happen. I suck at ignoring the bait, but I keep practicing.

 

[ChrisL]

Not really giving advice as much as I am pointing out some facts. There are several people here who have shared things about their pets dying or having some really serious personal tragedies that have been dragged through the flame zone. I think that is the reason why some people would like to have a private forum.

...there will come times of difficulty.

Alright, then. Good luck to you.

It's not me. Lol. I have no interest in private groups personally. I am just telling you some other reasons that are not so nefarious as to why members want private groups. You see? I was basically correcting you.

 

[ChrisL]

Depends on how it is used.
I 100% agree with flacalten that there is no real, honest debate/discussion here or anywhere else for that matter. In America all political discussion has turned into rock throwing contests.
It would be awesome if there was a place for the few people who actually want to discuss intelligently and not turn every thread into yet another pointless "your side sucks, no yours does, no yours, no...."
But, I fear it would only be used for circle jerking and troll posting. we have Clean Debate Zone for that.
So unless there is some methods put in place to encourage OP's to include people from both sides....it will just be CDZ with limited access.
Instead, why not have an area where people who want to actually discuss, and not just throw rocks?
Basically a private forum.

There is some honest debate/discussion here. The trick is to not take the bait from the trolls and continue to discuss the issue with others who are willing to stay focused on the topic. It can happen and it does happen. I suck at ignoring the bait, but I keep practicing.

I like to throw their insults right back into their faces, but I always try to get back on track eventually. It gets redundant eventually.

 

[Natural Citizen]

It's not me. Lol. I have no interest in private groups personally. I am just telling you some other reasons that are not so nefarious as to why members want private groups. You see? I was basically correcting you.

While that may be true in some instances, watch what happens once it's instituted for a few weeks.

I won't even say that I told you so.