[NSC] NSC - what it has become, and how can it be made better

[TheJasperCo]

Maybe football has become so sanitised/predictable over the years that it has lost the tribal element that people seek out in...oh I don't know...political and current affairs. Ultimately we're all of us only human and by our nature we're a tribal bunch. If we don't have debates or harsh differences of opinion on football threads, we will end up treating politics as a never-ending "I win-you lose" battle. This is unsustainable, but it'll keep happening because division (on both sides, I'm quick to point out) gives some people/too many people a purpose on here.

 

[AmexRuislip]

Subtitles for those who come from less sunnier climes.

 

[The Fifth Column]

I'd like to see less of the pile ons and borderline bullying when a poster posts something unpopular or controversial, just ignore it if you don't like it, similiarly i'd like to see bans for when the responses get personal and abusive regardless of the side taken, too often it carries on for too long. Just be nicer people.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

There is far more good than bad on NSC and always has been. I'd like to thank all of the moderators for putting the time in they do. I certainly wouldn't have the patience so doff my metaphorical cap for those that do.

The problems as I see it - and it's easier to criticise than praise - so I'd happily contribute to a what's right with NSC thread as well :

1. It isn't as much fun as it used to be. Is that age? We are all getting older. Is it society? It's more divisive? It is this board? Probably not. Is it me? Possibly. I don't know the answer but I do feel some of the posters who don't take themselves seriously have disappeared. How do we encourage the next generation so this doesn't become an old people's home? I stopped myself starting an "Arthritis" thread the other day. Seriously.

2. Political threads are just no go zones. The furthest right I've ever voted is Liberal and I sometimes feel like Genghis Khan. Ignore thread has been activated. Lots. I like politics though. What is about that subject that attracts people that don't listen? (with apologies to @Herr Tubthumper for catching me with a hangover after an all day sesh at the cricket).

Ban name calling and introducing posting limits would be what I'd do as a starter. When you call someone a bell, it won't end well will it?

The Olympics thread was an example (save a couple of bells and yes I did do that deliberately) of what this site can be. Brilliant.

 

[Wardy's twin]

the board is a reflection of its members if you want to drive it in a particular direction you will need to remove certain people.

There are bits I don't like e.g. when serious questions fall into fish puns but NSC shows its real strength in threads like the mental health one, champions league level that one.

 

[Silverhatch]

Just Albion Threads

Just Football threads would be a good addition

 

[Dr Q]

I'd leave as is.

I think the more argumentative nature (political threads etc) are a by product of there being less pure fun in watching the Albion. Whilst the footbal has been great at times to watch and we see fantastic players, the somewhat santitised environment of the Premiership, the need for survival, shite like VAR, and even the fact that we are in a big shiney stadium seems to have diluted the fun. These days its impossible to spend ages discussing the wonder of a squirrel outrunning Nathan Jones, or it's dead cousin adorning his head, so folk resort to the highlighting the more depressing things that are going on around us.

 

[Cotton Socks]

LEAVE IT ALONE.

Although it could do with a few more kids to counter-balance the old farts.

Nooooo!!! Leave them following on Insta & X. My Jnr's would probably disown me if they worked out my username on here!

 

[BadFish]

There is an update or something at 2.00am for ten minutes where the sites is inactive. It coincides with my break at work and sometimes I like to have a little peruse while I eat (okay, quite often).

Any chance we can move that to 2.30?

Other than that I wouldn't change anything.

Also I apologise I do like to bang on a bit about immigration on the politics threads, I'll reign that in a bit.

 

[Scoffers]

I've got to admit I don't post all that much these days, and have never been one to post for the sake of it, but for some people NSC is seemingly part of their daily routine and as in life in general, some are more sensitive than others about moderation, but speaking as some who has moderated a long standing game forum for 14 years as of now, it's always harder than it looks, you try to be fair and balanced and put any personal bias to one side and just enforce the rules but you'll always get criticism, some fair, some not so you just have to develop a thick skin and not take it personally. I've seen a lot of forum sites that are toxic because the mods and owners just don't care, the naysayers don't know how lucky they are to have such a brilliant forum here!

 

[BevBHA]

More Dwarf Porn

Thread closed

I’m sure your small request will be granted

 

[Pliny the Gull]

Great forum IMO. Only joined last year, when retired.
Wish I could match posters to fans have met and drunk with over time who's name I don't know, but recognise for years past.
Eg. Met some great guys that afternoon in an Irish pub in Amsterdam .
Took our money all pm, then they wanted us out by racking up the juke box, when we started GOSBTS.

 

[BrightonCottager]

I spend too long on here - more time than on the equivalent Fulham board - because of the local info, views, advice (taking and occasionally giving it), the humour & bigger issues like global/uk politics and Wordle. I rarely look at or comment on anything Albion-related. I've only once got mildly irritated with a poster (no, I don't think it was you @The Rattler ) when they were
- unjustly in my view - slagging off Fulham about something or other (shithousery probably). I normally just stop reading when.people start slagging each other off.

It ain't broke - no need to fix it.

 

[lasvegan]

There is an update or something at 2.00am for ten minutes where the sites is inactive. It coincides with my break at work and sometimes I like to have a little peruse while I eat (okay, quite often).

Any chance we can move that to 2.30?

Other than that I wouldn't change anything.

Also I apologise I do like to bang on a bit about immigration on the politics threads, I'll rein that in a bit.

6pm for me, that’s prime time…

 

[Bozza]

There is an update or something at 2.00am for ten minutes where the sites is inactive. It coincides with my break at work and sometimes I like to have a little peruse while I eat (okay, quite often).

Any chance we can move that to 2.30?

Other than that I wouldn't change anything.

Also I apologise I do like to bang on a bit about immigration on the politics threads, I'll rein that in a bit.

Backups run at 2am.

I’ll get it moved for you…

 

[ChickenBaltiPie]

Backups run at 2am.

I’ll get it moved for you…

I’ve experienced this too, haha, it’s usually my prompt to go to sleep!

 

[The Clamp]

Can it be moved to 2pm please?

#weworkatnight

#shiftworkersarehumantoo

#mememememememe

 

[lasvegan]

Backups run at 2am.

I’ll get it moved for you…

I’ve experienced this too, haha, it’s usually my prompt to go to sleep!

It’s only 10 minutes, I think we can all cope…

 

[Solid at the back]

Can the R word be censored please?

 

[Lurker]

I've actually taken the time to read every post on this thread and good luck to Bozza in extracting any useful ideas/changes that will suit everybody!
My advice Bozza, for what it's worth, is to echo the thoughts of many on here and suggest you adopt the old adage of 'if it ain't broke .... etc'.

Personally, I think I probably look at NSC almost every day of the year, and I'm certain I'm not alone in that.
It may be only a fleeting glance on some days and longer reads on others, but I wouldn't be here at all if the site was rubbish, and to visit everyday is a pretty clear indication that I personally like it as it is.

It isn't perfect, but I don't think restricting word counts, or limiting post numbers or imposing any of the other suggestions will improve things.
Let nature take its course.
If you see visitor numbers dropping, then maybe that's the time to be considering change.

Having said all that, you asked for feedback so I'll give you some of my thoughts. (You'll regret this )

You can see from my stats that I have a very low post count despite being a member for years, and I was an even longer time lurker before I eventually joined, so I've been around NSC virtually from the beginning, and it is true (in my opinion) that the board is not as good as it used to be.
That is no reflection on you or your team of mods, I fear it's a reflection of society as a whole.
Everybody will offend somebody about something at some point, it's the world we live in now.

There is very definitely an 'inner circle' or a 'clique' of posters who dominate the board, and I find myself frequently not understanding some of the 'in' jokes as a consequence of not being in the clique, so sadly I mostly sit on the periphery and just watch rather than play.
I don't think I'm alone in doing that, but equally I'm fully aware that only I can resolve it.
Maybe I'll give it more of a go this year?

One of the bigger draws for me back in the NSC infancy was the frequent amusing threads.
The sense of humour on here in the early days was so much better than it is now.
There was a much higher standard of dry and witty and clever repostes.

Today we are fed puns. Tedious repetitive puns. Frequently of the fish variety. They really, really aren't funny.

And worse than the puns are the cringeworthy comments breaking down the very rare 'Joke De Jour' threads.

The actual Joke De Jour is often very amusing ... but then along will come the usual suspects breaking down each individual nuance of the 'joke' thinking they are being funny in doing so.
They are not.
It is tediously unfunny.
People, please stop it!
Bozza please impose lifetime bans on these sad individuals.
Encourage them to use their time more wisely in perhaps searching for that sense of humour that they have most clearly misplaced!
(Rant over).

So to summarise Bozza ...... the site is absolutely fine as it is, I genuinely thank you for providing it for our entertainment, but it could perhaps be improved by encouraging certain posters to look up the meaning of the word 'Funny'.

Thank you for listening.