What makes a successful thread?

EMINEM · Post by **EMINEM** » Wed May 30, 2001 7:02 am

The following lists some of the signs I believe constitutes an original, thought-provoking thread. Please add (or remove) to it, as I am positive none of us appreciate seeing zero responses to our posts.

1. The thread abides by the rules set forth by the moderators (BTW, has anyone actually read what they are?)

2. The thread generates responses from many people with different points of view (ie. both Weasel and fable reply to it), inspires a heated but civil discussion, and avoids becoming clique-ish. The emphasis should be on quality, not quantity.

3. It appeals to both veterans and newbies.

4. The thread stays on topic. Discussion does not deteriorate into meaningless spamming until AFTER the original subject has been thoroughly explored.

5. Speaking of which - spamming is kept to a minimum, or is altogether absent (yeah, right).

6. The thread spawns a similar and/or totally opposing thread. The more the merrier.

7. The thread is rich with creativity and humor. (ie. Dwarven Throwers)

8 Longevity – no need to “bump” it back to the top, as the thread has a life of its own. But even successful threads don’t last more than a week.

9 Some responses contain paragraphs, essays, or dissertations betokening serious thought, effort, and enthusiasm for the topic. (ie. Theological Quandries)

10. The thread invites one or more of the moderators to post a reply himself. He may even wish to have been the one to come up with the thread in the first place!

[ 05-30-2001: Message edited by: EMINEM ]

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Wed May 30, 2001 7:07 am

Such a post come forth once in a blue millenium

EMINEM · Post by **EMINEM** » Wed May 30, 2001 7:18 am

Actually, there has never been nor ever will be such a thread that meets all these criteria. The point is to see how many can be fulfilled. The higher the standard, the harder the effort and higher the mark in achieving it.

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Wed May 30, 2001 10:45 am

This has got alot I think[url="http://www.gamebanshee.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=004522"]Bugz by me[/url]

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Wed May 30, 2001 11:08 am

Originally posted by EMINEM:
Actually, there has never been nor ever will be such a thread that meets all these criteria. The point is to see how many can be fulfilled. The higher the standard, the harder the effort and higher the mark in achieving it.

I believe this topic meets most..Theological Quandaries 101.

Waverly · Post by **Waverly** » Wed May 30, 2001 11:12 am

Same thing that makes anything else great: sex, drugs, and rock & roll. Witness the mighty Guns'n'Cookies thread

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Wed May 30, 2001 11:23 am

@Waverly..I like your sig.

LMAO

vixen · Post by **vixen** » Wed May 30, 2001 11:25 am

I think the timing matters a lot. If you post when lots of people are around, people will look out of curiousity and probably post.

If, however, you post in the middle of the night your post will drop into the SYM ocean like a very heavy rock and never surface again. (Unless Minerva gets bored

)

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Wed May 30, 2001 1:50 pm

Originally posted by vixen:
If, however, you post in the middle of the night your post will drop into the SYM ocean like a very heavy rock and never surface again.

I'm the expert in this

vixen · Post by **vixen** » Wed May 30, 2001 1:53 pm

Originally posted by Brink:
I'm the expert in this

Hey, I always try to reply my darling.

BTW I noticed one of those blue faces earlier. I thought I told you about those...!

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Wed May 30, 2001 2:03 pm

Darn,I thought that you wouldn't notice

So,what can I do to make you feel better,my sweet?

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Wed May 30, 2001 2:21 pm

A good thread is a controversial thread.

vixen · Post by **vixen** » Wed May 30, 2001 2:23 pm

Originally posted by Brink:
So,what can I do to make you feel better,my sweet?

If you're here I don't need any cheering up...

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Wed May 30, 2001 2:27 pm

vixen-*loooong hug*

What makes a succesful thread?Depends on your definition of succesful.If it's just a thread where there are lots of posters,then I would say the topic should only be enough to attract the spammers to a particular thread.

vixen · Post by **vixen** » Wed May 30, 2001 2:54 pm

Originally posted by Brink:
vixen-*loooong hug*

Thank you my darling.

Generally, including the words pub, beer or bar in a thread guarantee many posts.

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Wed May 30, 2001 2:57 pm

Mainly because they are place where everybody can spam and flame without getting too many people upset.

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Wed May 30, 2001 2:58 pm

vixen-

IMHO,Serious topics aren't really popular in here.They either:
a)get spammed up (I believe goody is an example of this)
b)die out when there is no change of topic allowed in that thread

vixen · Post by **vixen** » Wed May 30, 2001 3:01 pm

Sometimes you don't have an answer for every question, or an opinion on every point though...

Brink- I leave it to you to make the transition from experienced bartender to landlord of your very own pub thread.

*nudges Brink*

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Wed May 30, 2001 3:09 pm

WOuld love to,but my threads are rather unsuccesful (whenever I think of posting a sad smiley,I'll go give vixen a hug to calm the nerves from now on

) *hug*

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Thu May 31, 2001 5:01 am

The only thing that made Goody great was the change in direction, it was the original SYM, Spamming up serious conversations and then suddenly everyone would find a point to converse (argue

) about and the spam would go on the back burner (for a short period of time.

).