It says so in the Rules... or does it?

[Sandy]

Like the good little OBer I am, I just reviewed the Board Rules and FAQ yet again, just to keep up to date what's allowed and what's not.

I have to say that althought the rules are fair and reasonable, I find them somewhat lacking and out-of-date. Here's the defects I found:

[B]1) Introduction threads:[/B] Moderators close them all the time, saying they are agains the rules and aren't allowed, but either I'm blind or there wasn't a [I]single[/I] mention about introduction threads anywhere in the rules! How are you supposed to demand that people don't post them if it isn't stated clearly anywhere that they can't?

I'm not sure but I think I remember James admitting the lack of this section from the rules once, but I thought it was fixed already! How hard could it be?

[B]2) Playing Mod:[/B] I know this should be self-explanatory, but why wasn't this listed in the "spam"-list? Also, it should be clearly defined what exactly is "playing mod".

Again, you can't discipline people about things that they don't clearly know is against the rules!

[B]3) Moderator Teams:[/B] Weren't these ditched a long time ago? Why does the FAQ still include them then?

Honestly, what good does it do to tell new members to read the Rules and the FAQ if they contain invalid and outdated information?

[B]4) Arena Ratings:[/B] Aside from the issues discussed in the thread I created about these earlier, I found that the actual rules don't mention these at all. So the whole system is dependent on that new members read one sticky thread?

No wonder so many new members don't know the ratings are a must...

***

So, to summarize things, I'm amazed that the Rules haven't been updated, apparently for quite some time.

Yes, I may sound whiny again, but this is really a serious matter. You simply can't expect new members to abide rules that aren't written into the actual Rules! Also, if things change, like the moderating system has, it isn't unreasonable to assume that the Rules and FAQ are changed accordingly, is it?

Hope I'm not offending anybody, and I honestly hope that the admins have noticed/acknowledged these errors before this thread and are about to do something about them. ;)

[Annie]

[QUOTE=Sage]
[B]1) Introduction threads:[/B] Moderators close them all the time, saying they are agains the rules and aren't allowed, but either I'm blind or there wasn't a [I]single[/I] mention about introduction threads anywhere in the rules! How are you supposed to demand that people don't post them if it isn't stated clearly anywhere that they can't?

I'm not sure but I think I remember James admitting the lack of this section from the rules once, but I thought it was fixed already! How hard could it be?[/quote]

[size=1][color=darkred]For one, introdcution threads are not productive in the quality of the OB. You were, or are, concerned about the OB's quality, right? New memebers post their "Hi, I'm new!" and a moderator welcomes them to the OB, and closes their thread down soley based on the fact that it [b]will[/b] become a spamfest. It isn't like the mods are being bullies or anything.

Secondly, James is working diligently on not just the OB, but on a handful of other projects. Would you blame him for not being able to update the OB as much? I'm going to hope you wouldn't. The OB is still under construction, whether you realize it or not. There are small changes that happen whenever James can afford the time.

I'm sure that when he's able, everything on the OB, including the rules and FAQ's, will get updated.[/size][/color]

[quote][B]2) Playing Mod:[/B] I know this should be self-explanatory, but why wasn't this listed in the "spam"-list? Also, it should be clearly defined what exactly is "playing mod".

Again, you can't discipline people about things that they don't clearly know is against the rules![/quote]

[size=1][color=darkred]Because it is self-explanatory. Mods are moderators for a reason. They have the characteristics needed to moderate a certain area of the OB, and that's why they are there. If the OB was "self-regulate", then there wouldn't be any mods.

Playing mod defeats the purpose of the moderator, [b]and[/b] it causes confusion among new members about "who's boss?". Plus, what if someone was trying to help out in a situation they really weren't prepared for, and things went totally out of their hands? It causes a big mess, and the mod is left to try and salvage this situation.

New members are aware of moderators, and they know their responsibilities. Stepping on the moderator's feet (when they clearly understand why there are mods) is taking away their job and only putting them into a corner. [/size][/color]

[quote][B]3) Moderator Teams:[/B] Weren't these ditched a long time ago? Why does the FAQ still include them then?

Honestly, what good does it do to tell new members to read the Rules and the FAQ if they contain invalid and outdated information?[/quote]

[size=1][color=darkred]Re-read my response to the Intru Threads.[/color][/size]

[quote][B]4) Arena Ratings:[/B] Aside from the issues discussed in the thread I created about these earlier, I found that the actual rules don't mention these at all. So the whole system is dependent on that new members read one sticky thread?

No wonder so many new members don't know the ratings are a must...
[/quote]

[size=1][color=darkred]The ratings [sigh] only apply to the Arena. They are included in every sticky of the every forum of the Arena. People are asked to read the stickies, and they clearly visible.[/color][/size]

[quote]So, to summarize things, I'm amazed that the Rules haven't been updated, apparently for quite some time.

Yes, I may sound whiny again, but this is really a serious matter. You simply can't expect new members to abide rules that aren't written into the actual Rules! Also, if things change, like the moderating system has, it isn't unreasonable to assume that the Rules and FAQ are changed accordingly, is it?

Hope I'm not offending anybody, and I honestly hope that the admins have noticed/acknowledged these errors before this thread and are about to do something about them. ;)[/QUOTE]

[size=1][color=darkred]To summarize the truth and obvious, the rules are part of the OB, and the OB is under construction (like I said). Sure, there are things that aren't included and updated in the rules, but that is why we have moderators and admins. They inform members of what's going on, what's accepted and what's not, until the rules have been updated. There are plenty of mods, so the word gets around.

You just need to chill. Revising an entire website is not an easy task, especially if there are other pressing matters that continue to involuntarily hold you back. These "errors" haven't effected the way the OB looks or runs. If they did, I'm sure there would be more than one person making these sort of threads about it. When the rating system came up, there was a few redundant threads about it, and the problem with it simmered down and disappeared [until recently with your previous thread, of course].

The playing mod problem will always be there subtly with people like me still hanging around. Yeah, I'll admit it, I'm in the wrong place sometimes, and I get what I deserve at the end of it all. This area has been present since the begining, and was never really a big problem.

So, yeah. Take a chill pill. If this were pressing the quality of this site, then it wouldn't be as organized and one of the best forum message boards out there. [/size][/color]

[Sandy]

Why are you being so offensive?

I didn't say that I'm against the rules or against the moderators, or even against the way this forum is managed. This is the best frigging board on the internet, I have yet to find any forum that could even compete with the OB!

This is, however, a [I]feedback section[/I], and I'm entitled to give feedback on things that I find erraneous on this board [I]here[/I].

My point was that the moderators enforce reading the rules and the FAQ, yet those two have outdated information and even lack some. What good does reading them do to the new members in that case?

And about "playing mod" being self-explanatory: so what if it is? It should still read in the rules, along with other things that are considered spam. In my opinion the fact that flaming others is spam is self-explanatory, but still it reads on the rules.

New members will keep on breaking the rules unintentionally if they aren't clear, and in one compact pack (instead of springled around the forum in the form of sticky-threads).

If the admins or moderators don't have the time for such "trivial" things as the basic rules, I for one can sign up as a volunteer to edit the rules to a more up-to-date version - it will only take few hours away from my life.

*huff puff*

Sheesh, maybe I should get that chilling pill you offered me...

As I said, this thread isn't an assault against the staff or the rules, I just wanted to notify how the rules are lacking. And again, I reckon that the admins know this already, but I just wanted to be sure...

Why does it seem that in every thread I make - no matter what subject or what I say - I get attacked? Perhaps I should take a course of "How To Write While Licking Everybody's Behind" so that my posting style doesn't offend anybody...

[Annie]

[size=1][color=darkred]No, it's just that the administration of the OB is aware of whatever goes on with the OB. There's nothing that can be done about it at this point in time. If it were so, then things would've gotten done some time ago. It's just not that simple.

Me being offensive? Sure, I'll be the first to say that I'll get hot-headed. Why? Because I've been here, seen the unbelievable progress, and seen all the fixes to problems and seen how it effects the Boards. I also get defensive for people who bust their *** in trying to make a better environment, while bending over backwards to helping others out, and juggle their personal life with all of that. Should I cool down? I don't think so.

Anyway, the point is, the defects in the rules will eventually get evened out. We all know that James has ever intention of revising the rules. But he's in a position where he can't really get to it as often as he desires. I'll stop speaking for him now. But I'll say again that if these errors were able to be zapped away by an admin, it would've been done by now.[/size][/color]

[Sandy]

But these things I've pointed out [I]aren't[/I] impossible to add to the rules in few hours!

I think you're blind in your faith towards the staff: they're only human too, not infallible holy creatures that think/know everything in advance! I say this with all due respect, as James and many other staff-members are very good online-buddies to me, and they know I'm not trying to offend them.

Also, I'm no newbie here either, and that's why I was so amazed that these things I've pointed out are missing from the core rules, even though the moderators are enforcing them.

Nevertheless, I want to wait for an administrative opinion about this issue, with all due respect to your opinions, Goddess.

(See, I'm rehearsing my new kissass -style of posting that seems to be a requirement here. ;P )

[Raiyuu]

[font=Trebuchet MS]I remember this issue arising in another thread fairly recently, and I remember [b]jblessing [/b]giving a really good reason why this statement:
[quote name='Sage][/font]But these things I've pointed out [i]aren't[/i'] impossible to add to the rules in few hours![font=Trebuchet MS][/quote] ...is untrue. I can't find the thread now, I can't remember what the exact topic was, it's moved off the front page of S&F and to be honest I can't be bothered to search for it to prove a point, but something to do with the code that OB uses means that changing the Rules or FAQ pages is actually a fairly arduous, time-consuming task.

Which is why James and the team decided that, rather than update the Rules piecemeal with an extra one now and again, they'd wait till OB was getting a full overhaul and do an entirely new Rules page at that time.

(And Amen to what Goddess said about James's personal life. He deserves to live in the real world every now and again :P)
[/font]

[Ezekiel]

[COLOR=#FF374C][SIZE=1]I actually agree with Goddess on most of the points here--I, admittedly, have never read the rules but I also have never broken them. Not once. We know the boards want quality, common sense should tell members to post reasonably. I believe that some people, whether they read the rules or not, are going to post what they want regardless.

Give James some space; he's a busy man.

And what you say about kissass? Goddess is actually a very close friend of James and most of the moderators so I don't think you should assume otherwise.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Ozymandius Jones]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][QUOTE]4) Arena Ratings: Aside from the issues discussed in the thread I created about these earlier, I found that the actual rules don't mention these at all. So the whole system is dependent on that new members read one sticky thread?

No wonder so many new members don't know the ratings are a must...[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE] Sticky:[B] Mandatory:[/B] Adventure Square Basics[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Merriam Webster Dictionary]Main Entry: man·da·to·ry
1 : containing or constituting a command : OBLIGATORY, REQUIRED[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Arcadia]Arena Thread Ratings

As the membership base of these forums continue to age and change, so do the types of threads that exist on the boards.... [/QUOTE]

They've been there, [b]in the sticky[/b] since [b]December[/b]. The sticky is [b]the first thing you see[/b] when you enter the Arena [b]or[/b] the Inn. It's not in the [b]site[/b] rules because it only [b]applies[/b] to the Arena.[/COLOR]

[Sandy]

For gripes sakes!! I wasn't calling Goddess kissass, I was calling MYSELF a kissass, because apparently everybody has to be one in order to have their opinions voiced out in here!!!

And I'm SO SORRY for using excessive exclamation marks and capitalizing some WORDS, oh [I]I do hope[/I] I will not get banned due to my misbehaviour and unwanted opinions! [/sarcasm]

Honestly, some of the ordinary members here are worse nitpickers than all the moderators combined!

[I]Again[/I], this isn't an attack towards James, I'm not demanding that he changes the rules at this very moment, I just wanted to know why the rules were lacking and why there was old information in them!

[B]Raiyuu[/B], you answered my question, I thank you for that. I actually did a search for a similar thread before posting this, and found nothing (although I too remember that something like this was discussed in the past too), so of course I thought it wouldn't hurt to create this.

Apparently it did, for I seem to have been labeled as the leader of the Official Resistance Against OB movement now!

Geez, why do you people have to be so hard to discuss with?!


EDIT: [B]Ozy[/B], if the Arena Ratings aren't in the rules because they are section-specific, then why are the rules for posting Anime Lounge and Play it -sections included in the core rules then?

I honestly think that ALL rules of the boards should read in one place, or at least the core rules should have a link to the sticky threads.

Oh, and I'm calming myself down now... *huff puff* I just get anxious when people twist my words and use them against me...

[Shy]

[size=1]The issue here is that the forum's basic rules were written years ago (and more than likely, lifted from the forum rules of another site.) In all of those years the boards, the membership and the rules have changed considerably. These rules get edited, re-written and added to fit the needs of the forum, and over time the coherency of those rules tends to fall apart. There are several passages that are no longer neccessary, and I imagine there are many rules that could stand to be updated or revised.

For example, The Arena Sticky (which I had a strong hand in writing, along with those thread ratings everyone keeps complaining about) contain information about spars. There was once a brief period where these types of threads were very popular, and as such strict guidelines were created to regulate them. These days, however, there are [i]no[/i] sparring threads in The Arena, and it's entirely possible that there may never be any ever again. Should we remove this section of the rules entirely? It's definitely worth considering, but at the same time it's a question of who these rules are affecting by remaining in place, and how it could affect the boards by removing or revising them (it would shorten the length of that darn sticky, for one.)

Introduction and Goodbye threads are frowned upon on the boards, and it was decided long ago that they have no place here. While not specifically stated in the rules, it is implied that members create quality threads, and you'll find that the members who create Introductions threads and the ones who don't bother to read the forum rules are one in the same.

Play It! and Anime Lounge rules are included in the OB General Rules because they are relavant to discussion, which is the main purpose of this site. The Art Forum and The Arena have their rules listed seperately because they are seperate entities, and those forums are not discussion-based. The Art Forum is based on member submissions and critiques, while The Arena is mainly a home for collaborative storytelling and member submissions of their original works.

There are no 'Ordinary Members' here on the boards, especially not in the Suggestions and Feedback forum. Everyone's opinion here are equal, regardless of whether or not they have a position on staff or not. Some members may be more experienced, and as such have more informed opinions, but anything any member would like to contribute to these discussions is welcome. This includes you too, Sage.

It would be wise to know that many, [i]many[/i] staff members over the years have contributed to the forum rules. It's not a single project by James, or any other member for that matter. I'll look over the forum rules, and see if I can't come up with something a little more concise and relavant in the near future.

-Shy[/size]

[Brasil]

[QUOTE=Sage]For gripes sakes!! I wasn't calling Goddess kissass, I was calling MYSELF a kissass, because apparently everybody has to be one in order to have their opinions voiced out in here!!!

And I'm SO SORRY for using excessive exclamation marks and capitalizing some WORDS, oh [i]I do hope[/i] I will not get banned due to my misbehaviour and unwanted opinions! [/sarcasm]

Honestly, some of the ordinary members here are worse nitpickers than all the moderators combined!

[i]Again[/i], this isn't an attack towards James, I'm not demanding that he changes the rules at this very moment, I just wanted to know why the rules were lacking and why there was old information in them!

[b]Raiyuu[/b], you answered my question, I thank you for that. I actually did a search for a similar thread before posting this, and found nothing (although I too remember that something like this was discussed in the past too), so of course I thought it wouldn't hurt to create this.

Apparently it did, for I seem to have been labeled as the leader of the Official Resistance Against OB movement now!

Geez, why do you people have to be so hard to discuss with?!


EDIT: [b]Ozy[/b], if the Arena Ratings aren't in the rules because they are section-specific, then why are the rules for posting Anime Lounge and Play it -sections included in the core rules then?

I honestly think that ALL rules of the boards should read in one place, or at least the core rules should have a link to the sticky threads.

Oh, and I'm calming myself down now... *huff puff* I just get anxious when people twist my words and use them against me...[/QUOTE]
[center][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Padraig21/Stuff/bunnywithpancake.jpg[/img]
[/center]

[Sara]

[color=#6699cc][quote name='Sage']Again, you can't discipline people about things that they don't clearly know is against the rules![/quote]No one is disciplined for creating an introduction thread or playing mod. At least, they shouldn't be. Introduction threads are closed because of our (admittedly unwritten) policy on them, [i]but[/i]. No action is taken against the member himself, and with rare exceptions, the moderator is polite and informative when closing the thread.

Again, moderators inform people not to play mod. Nothing is done against those who do play mod unless they consistantly do so (after being repeatedly asked not to).

We're aware that these things are not in the rules, and we know that new members won't know these things unless we tell them. So we work around it, and tell people on a case-by-case basis. It's not the easiest or simplest system, but until the rules are revamped (as has been discussed here, this is waiting on the next upgrade), that's really all we can do.

I have considered (several times) putting a sticky thread in the O. Lounge about introduction threads, but in the end, our system works. There are some hiccoughs, but by and large, it's okay.[/color]

[Boo]

[size=1]Amen to that, Brasil.

Sage, to be honest, you complain quite a whole lot. ?Being hard to discuss with?; you just have to come with strong arguments. Right now all your questions have been answered and your arguments have been broken by people who know what they?re talking about. You start to repeat yourself to strengthen your older arguments. Stop doing that and let it rest. Please.[/size]

[Sandy]

[I]All I needed [/I] was an answer to my frigging questions, and I'm extremely happy that I got them from people who know what they are talking about!

I did not ask for insults, I did not ask for bashing, and nothing I said in my starting point made me deserve them!

I've reported Brasil's offending and spammy post, [I]because I have a right to say my opinions [/I] despite being such a whiny bastard as you seem to think I am!

I'm glad that Rai, Shy and Lore are such good people that they gave me decent, polite answers instead of diminishing and ridiculing like the rest of you!

Gawd I hate your condescending attitudes! This goes to Goddess, Imi, Brazil and Boo, btw. I have no idea what I did to deserve this, because I tried to write as politely as I can about this issue. :(

At this moment I feel extremely hurt and offended, just to let you know, although I reckon none of you really cares...

[Brasil]

[QUOTE=Sage][i]All I needed [/i] was an answer to my frigging questions, and I'm extremely happy that I got them from people who know what they are talking about!

I did not ask for insults, I did not ask for bashing, and nothing I said in my starting point made me deserve them!

I've reported Brasil's offending and spammy post, [i]because I have a right to say my opinions [/i] despite being such a whiny bastard as you seem to think I am!

I'm glad that Rai, Shy and Lore are such good people that they gave me decent, polite answers instead of diminishing and ridiculing like the rest of you!

Gawd I hate your condescending attitudes! This goes to Goddess, Imi, Brazil and Boo, btw. I have no idea what I did to deserve this, because I tried to write as politely as I can about this issue. :(

At this moment I feel extremely hurt and offended, just to let you know, although I reckon none of you really cares...[/QUOTE] Again,

[center][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Padraig21/Stuff/bunnywithpancake.jpg[/img]
[/center]

Sage, sound off like you got a pair! Otherwise, shut your mouth! I mean, christ, dude! Give it a rest and stop playing the freaking victim all the time! Nobody here was condescending. Nobody here was mean to you. My post was not offensive or rude because honestly? I have no freaking idea what you're trying to say anymore! And I have a feeling that a lot of people share my sentiments.

[Ezekiel]

[COLOR=#FF374C][SIZE=1]If you could point out one part of my post where I was condescending or insulting, then I would be most grateful. Because frankly you have insulted me many times by saying that I ?twist your words? and ?bash you?. This isn?t the first thread you?ve done it in, either. All I have ever done is give you my onions, they just don?t match yours. Get over it. I actually didn't address you in any way, I disagreed with your opinions, yes, but if you considerer that insulting you?re not going to make many friends, mate. Sorry, but I think you're overreacting just because I disagreed with you and happened to voice my opinion a little more bluntly than others.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Sandy]

[B]To Brazil:[/B]
Honestly, I have nothing else to say about this issue because everything was answered, but is it so f-ing hard NOT TO HURT MY FEELINGS?! This is my freaking thread, and it would've been all decent and polite if only Rai, Shy and Lore had replied!

Nothing in my initial post was offending or rude towards anybody, but Goddess made it sound like it was! That caused me to go on defensive mode, and of course a bunch of other asshats like yourself had to come and mock me some more!

Why couldn't have you just shut up yourself?! I have a right to give feedback in this section BECAUSE THIS IS THE FREAKING FEEDBACK SECTION! I didn't ask for any ridiculing or bashing, I just wanted an answer to my concern! I got it, and I'm satisfied on that part (as I clearly stated in my previous post), but NO, you just have to come and twist the knife in my wound!

Of course I'm acting as a victim here BECAUSE I AM ONE!

And I seriously can't believe you can get away with posting one rude picture! You didn't even contribute to the topic at all! If that is not spam then I don't know what is!

And IF I'm not making myself clear enough, that JUST might have something to do with the fact that ENGLISH ISN'T MY FRIGGIN NATIVE LANGUAGE!!!!

Now I'll shut up before I say something I'll regret. *boils*

[B]To Imi:[/B]
I didn't have any opinions in my first post!! This thread wasn't based on my opinions, it was based on my observations with the rules of this place! This was never meant to be an offensive thread, or one that would invoke so much discussion!

As for why I said you twisted my words: you said I called Goddess a kissass, even though I clearly pointed that I was the one who was writing deliberately exaggerated, "kissassy" posts, just to avoid from offending anybody.

Goddess made my post sound like I was, even though I didn't mean to.

As for the condescending thing, you guys bashed me by practically saying "we know the moderators/rules better than you, so back off!" Or at least that was the feeling I got from it.

Honestly though, I have no idea why this thread went into this! I just wanted to ask about the rules...

[Brasil]

[QUOTE=Sage][b]To Brazil:[/b]
Honestly, I have nothing else to say about this issue because everything was answered, but is it so f-ing hard NOT TO HURT MY FEELINGS?! This is my freaking thread, and it would've been all decent and polite if only Rai, Shy and Lore had replied!

Nothing in my initial post was offending or rude towards anybody, but Goddess made it sound like it was! That caused me to go on defensive mode, and of course a bunch of other asshats like yourself had to come and mock me some more!

Why couldn't have you just shut up yourself?! I have a right to give feedback in this section BECAUSE THIS IS THE FREAKING FEEDBACK SECTION! I didn't ask for any ridiculing or bashing, I just wanted an answer to my concern! I got it, and I'm satisfied on that part (as I clearly stated in my previous post), but NO, you just have to come and twist the knife in my wound!

Of course I'm acting as a victim here BECAUSE I AM ONE!

And I seriously can't believe you can get away with posting one rude picture! You didn't even contribute to the topic at all! If that is not spam then I don't know what is!

And IF I'm not making myself clear enough, that JUST might have something to do with the fact that ENGLISH ISN'T MY FRIGGIN NATIVE LANGUAGE!!!!

Now I'll shut up before I say something I'll regret. *boils*[/QUOTE]
No, Sage, that's where you're completely [i]wrong[/i]. The problem here isn't that English isn't your native language. The problem here is that regardless of what language anyone speaks, in any language, you're acting like a little *****. That was censored, of course, but it should be obvious what word was there.

Victim? Victim my butt, dude. You aren't a victim here, [i]because nobody is picking on you[/i]. Come to grips with that and you'll feel better.

Rude picture? Oh, please! You've got to be kidding me. God forbid someone posts the Pancake Bunny picture to say in one image what it would take a few sentences or gasp! Even a paragraph! In retrospect, I should have used the Your Post Sucks image, with the old guy giving the camera the finger.

You're acting like freaking Taylor Hewitt, dude.

[Dagger]

People, this is ridiculous.

Sage's original point is fair enough, and I'm sure we'll address in the future. Speaking for myself, I've made the mistake of saying "No introduction threads blah blah as mentioned in our rules yadda yadda" more than once, and frankly I'm surprised that no one's called me on it yet.

As has been mentioned by other staff members, tweaking the rules isn't something which can be accomplished with the wave of a wand, but we realize that some changes & corrections need to be made. So take it easy.

That said, I'm locking this thread... which kind of pisses me off, because it really shouldn't have been necessary. The fault doesn't lie fully on one side or the other, either. This subject could easily have been discussed/debated without spewing insults and personal attacks all over the place. You guys should know better.

Thread frigging closed. :animeangr

~Dagger~

[James]

[font=franklin gothic medium]I just want to add a comment to this thread, since I am ultimately responsible for what happens at OtakuBoards as far as rules and FAQs and so on.

Sage, I can only tell you that I am aware of everything you've listed there. Unfortunately, providing the appropriate updates is not as easy as you may think. At present, I am relying on a single programmer for [i]all[/i] network-related updates. When you consider how miniscule OB is in terms of the broader network (myO completely dwarfs OB in size, for example), it becomes clear that 99% of our programming resources need to be dedicated to myOtaku and theOtaku in particular.

Because our FAQ and rules pages are self-built (ie: they are not a part of the vB structure), they really need to be edited by Justin. My hope is that we can build a system where these areas can be updated in a very simple way, using some sort of backend that any senior staff member can access.

In addition, I want to make a general comment about all of this. As you may know, we have a lot of trouble getting members to read the rules page in the first place. So although I appreciate your concerns about what the rules do not contain, I would also point out that even if they did contain a very comphrensive list of information, things wouldn't necessarily change so quickly.

Also, in regard to Arena ratings, it is really unnecessary to have them as part of the rules (though in future we will contain them in some form). When are Arena ratings used? Only in RPGs and so on. And therefore, those parts of the boards contain visible notifications about them. It is actually more effective to list ratings directly within the areas that people need to use them, as opposed to displaying them in a more vague and general way. Of course, having [i]both[/i] would be nice and that is what we will do.

I'm very disappointed with the way this thread progressed. There is no need for any abrasive language. Sage, whether it was intentional or not, I did feel that your initial post was a little rude in places (although I do sympathize with what you're saying and I acknowledge the problem). However, be that as it may, intentional or not, there's absolutely no reason for everyone else to jump in and make things worse.

I do not want to limit feedback threads in terms of discussion - I don't want to make it so that only staff can reply to these complaints. This kind of thread does push things in that direction, though. Luckily it is a rarity. I hope that in future, everyone will focus on the actual topic.[/font]

[quote name='Shy']The issue here is that the forum's basic rules were written years ago (and more than likely, lifted from the forum rules of another site.) [/quote]

[font=franklin gothic medium]Just to be annoying, I'll mention that the rules were written by me for OtakuBoards specifically. But yes, they are somewhat old and that's why we've included sticky threads across the site (both because they are more effective than the rules page in general and because they can be easily updated, where our rules cannot, for coding reasons).[/font]