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What makes a successful thread?

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 7:02 am
by EMINEM
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 ]

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 7:07 am
by Craig
Such a post come forth once in a blue millenium

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 7:18 am
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.

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 10:45 am
by Craig
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]

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 11:08 am
by Weasel
Originally posted by EMINEM:
<STRONG>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.</STRONG>
I believe this topic meets most..Theological Quandaries 101.

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 11:12 am
by Waverly
Same thing that makes anything else great: sex, drugs, and rock & roll. Witness the mighty Guns'n'Cookies thread :D :D

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 11:23 am
by Weasel
@Waverly..I like your sig. :D :D :D LMAO

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 11:25 am
by vixen
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 ;) )

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 1:50 pm
by Brink
Originally posted by vixen:
<STRONG>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.</STRONG>
I'm the expert in this :rolleyes: :p :p :D

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 1:53 pm
by vixen
Originally posted by Brink:
<STRONG>I'm the expert in this :rolleyes: :p :p :D </STRONG>
Hey, I always try to reply my darling. :D

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

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 2:03 pm
by Brink
Darn,I thought that you wouldn't notice :rolleyes: :)

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

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 2:21 pm
by ThorinOakensfield
A good thread is a controversial thread.

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 2:23 pm
by vixen
Originally posted by Brink:
<STRONG>So,what can I do to make you feel better,my sweet? :) ;) :) </STRONG>
If you're here I don't need any cheering up... ;)

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 2:27 pm
by Brink
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.

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 2:54 pm
by vixen
Originally posted by Brink:
<STRONG>vixen-*loooong hug* ;) :)
</STRONG>
Thank you my darling.

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

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 2:57 pm
by ThorinOakensfield
Mainly because they are place where everybody can spam and flame without getting too many people upset.

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 2:58 pm
by Brink
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

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 3:01 pm
by vixen
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* ;)

Posted: Wed May 30, 2001 3:09 pm
by Brink
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*

Posted: Thu May 31, 2001 5:01 am
by Mr Sleep
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. :D ).