Should EDF and The Lounge be merged?

[El Diablo]

Thought this might be a better place for mods to respond rather than in ATF.

Al's post:

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EDF and The Lounge have the exact same "charter" and purpose: mature, in-depth, deeper content posting. I understand The Lounge has its own "community" but it's what, and let's be honest here, 10 regular posters at most?

I think rolling these 2 forums up into 1 makes alot of sense. They are basically cannibalizing each other right now. The introduction and assimilation of the regular Lounge posters to EDF, or vice versa, would make for a more robust, entertaining single forum, imo.
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My response:

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I don't think that's all that unreasonable a suggestion, though currently I see at least two things that would have to be changed to make it work in a way that I think makes sense for a number of experienced 2+2 users:

a) Game/list type threads like "Post a picture of your favorite DVD" or "Post a funny picture of a dog" would have to be moved to POG or LoL or someplace.

b) There were no restrictions/editing of people simply for tone/aggressiveness in heated discussions, as long as they were staying on topic and not being personally insulting or over-the-top offensive/antagonistic.

As I see it right now, the forums are like this:

EDF is OOT for people who have been around a while and are not interested in wading through tons of stuff, but instead want to check out a relatively small number of high-quality threads/posts with pretty much no restrictions on content.

Lounge is OOT for people who want a kinder, gentler, friendlier place to post whatever and play fun games and stuff. A safe haven for people who feel intimidated or turned off by the discussion on OOT.

BBV4L is OOT for people who want to focus on topics that are generally more of interest to younger people, is generally more focused on fun rather than serious discussion, and is very receptive to somewhat raunchier content.

I think the nature of the forums might be a little more different than you realize. Since the tug regime was put in place, the Lounge consistently has more posts than EDF. On the other hand, EDF consistently has more viewers than the Lounge. I think that speaks to the difference in nature between the forums and their respective groups of users.
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[tuq]

I don't think so, no. They are two totally distinct communities.

It is good, however, that the stupid ForumWars™ seems to have subsided - even if there were understandable reasons for the vitriol at the outset. It was least paves the way for discussion on this matter.

I checked a bit earlier and there were like 22 readers in the Lounge and 29 in El D at the same time. If the combined forum would yield >51 unique readers then maybe it's a good idea. The problem is you don't know until you try, and it would be hard to undo.

Tone-wise there is also a big difference. Some folks in the Lounge seem really touchy and it has more of a "library" or "coffeehouse" feel to it, whereas my readings of the El D forum make it seem a little more prone to debate - like a bunch of guys sitting around a table a la the opening scene of Reservoir Dogs. Debate without people taking it personally. I may be a bit off on this though as I haven't been in awhile.

The biggest question though is WHY do this? Aren't things fine as they are?

[El Diablo]

tug,

"Tone-wise there is also a big difference. Some folks in the Lounge seem really touchy and it has more of a "library" or "coffeehouse" feel to it, whereas my readings of the El D forum make it seem a little more prone to debate - like a bunch of guys sitting around a table a la the opening scene of Reservoir Dogs. Debate without people taking it personally."

I pretty much agree w/ that. Take katy, for example. A lot of stuff most EDF posters would find hilarious and awesome would likely be considered mean and rude by her. Nothing wrong w/ that, just different styles.

"The biggest question though is WHY do this? Aren't things fine as they are?"

I don't think there's any reason that it NEEDS to be done, I think everything's fine. Frankly, I thought everything was fine w/ the Lounge even before this latest push for traffic. I'm not suggesting this, just putting it out there since Al posed the question.

As for why one might consider it:

tug: "If the combined forum would yield >51 unique readers then maybe it's a good idea."

Al: "The introduction and assimilation of the regular Lounge posters to EDF, or vice versa, would make for a more robust, entertaining single forum, imo."

[El Diablo]

db,

"You seem to be responding in there already, so why not other mods?

I suggest mods would be better encouraged to use their own judgement where to post."

Huh?

Seriously, man, this and your post in that thread come off like nothing but antagonistic and looking to create conflict. Which seems to be a common theme with you. Some of us are simply focused on creating the best experience at 2+2. Perhaps you should consider approaching things from that perspective?

I don't understand why it's so hard for you to grasp that there could be a different level of discussion regarding a topic like this in the mod forum than would go on in a public forum.

And of course mods can post wherever they want, they don't need you telling them that.

[diebitter]

The conflict is one you seem to be escalating, frankly.

You started this thread.

You are fostering the contention in ATF raised by 1 poster.


Looks like opportunistic stirring the pot to me.

If I have anything more to say on this, it will be in ATF. If you want to speak to me further, do it there.

[El Diablo]

db,

You are just plain stupid or perhaps f'ing delusional if all you can take from a constructive discussion between parties interested in creating the best forums for 2+2 is "escalating conflict" and "pot stirring."

And the reason I'm so antagonistic towards you in posts like this is because you constantly pull BS like slinging out a few insults/accusations and then following them up with crap like "I'm not getting into this nonsense here anyway."

That is pathetic and classless.

[diebitter]

[ QUOTE ]
Thought this might be a better place for mods to respond rather than in ATF.


[/ QUOTE ]

You seem to be responding in there already, so why not other mods?

I suggest mods would be better encouraged to use their own judgement where to post.