[DLT.]

Though this is a very common and an obvious flaw in forums. I've noticed it pick up alot over the months. Also I've always wanted to understand the reason behind why active users who spend a large period of time browsing, participate in such pathetic examples. The purpose of this thread is to initially ask users individually; when you sign up to a forum, what road do you tend to take & why? This is based on whether you'll become an asset, regular or a troll.




The concept of low quality posts on forums, is like a snowball building momentum down a hill. All it takes is that one initial push and it creates a bond of continual attachments. In this case, it takes that one troll to make a post to create a chain of irrelevant and off-topic posts. It's obvious there's going to be drama within such a large community, it's inevitable. However, the main question is...how can you prevent this? Obviously staff/mentors are doing an amazing job. Nothing to do with them. This problem solely lies in the hands of the members. Everyone has a choice when you first sign up to a forum. You're either a leech, noob, asskisser, spammer, troll, regular user or an asset. There's probably a few others, but you catch the drift. I see so many members complaining about how they're gaining negative reputation (which at the end of the day, is a number). But yet they're forgetting that the main reason behind this, is due to how they act. The answer to my previous question is simply...acting mature.
The purpose of a forum is to create discussions, anonymously. It weeds out the need of social media, and rather than using your identity, you use a form of identification with your forum account. This is how you should be recognised, rather than your numbered reputation which is more than likely either bought or rep4reped going by a large few. Of course a small majority have valuable reputation for their contributions. Best move on from reputation, it's a touchy subject.

A large portion of members signing up to HackForums is to participate in discussions. You're going to be spending your own personal time replying to threads & building up some sort of history of who you are. Everyone wants the feeling of being welcomed and wanted. So why do members think it's necessary to troll on a perfectly suitable and well presented thread, rather than reply in a mature approach and get involved. After all, that's what the forums are made for right? I know. It's because their immature and think its funny. But sooner or later, their time will come and they'll be closed. All that time trolling and trying to be funny, has got you no where. I guarantee you'll be closed. I've seen so many "wanna-be" forum jokers get closed after spending so much time harassing other members. It's just a complete failure. The worst thing is those who feed the trolls. You're only stooping down to their poxy level and giving them a reason for them to continue. The strongest approach is to simply ignore it. Before people start to say I'm butt-hurt, taking things to close to heart, blah blah blah, nah. I'm just trying to address the obvious to members. I'm more tired than anything, seeing perfect discussion threads being turned into toxic like a drop of ink in water. "In a high pitched voice" use the report feature. Hahaha, everyone does, but it still continues from their sheep flock.

To be honest, I've lost the motivation aswell as noticing other members wanting to make tutorials and quality threads. We know that only a few will be happy for our efforts. And it's a shame, because I think that's what's happening with our current groups. There were floods of tutorials and other great discussion threads back in the day, because the community got along much more better and it felt much more friendly than what it does today. It gave you a purpose to make a quality thread, and take reasonable credit for doing so. However, now it just feels like a challenge. This has nothing to do with staff. It's based on how the community act. There were so many quality members in all different topics and it inspired me to be the same. We need that feeling back for our new users. The only thing we can do is change.
Please note: This is my opinion. This entire thread is based on my own opinion.

Why troll?
Is it because you're incapable of discussing in a mature manner? Or maybe, its a reflection of your in-real life? A forum account is of course, anonymous. However it never hides your real personality. Just stop while you still can. Act mature, get involved with discussions, believe me over a period of time your positive attitude will bring much more success. Forums have taught me alot, it's made me the person I am today. All based on making an effort. Trolls are more than likely failures in life. Now the reason being, negativity. They want to release this negativity vibe onto other users, not in real-life because they're either the ones being bullied or in-capable of holding a decent conversation because they're socially awkward. Or their simply just a sadist. Yet...where does this eventually get them? Hated, once again. Their only place to make a decent appearance of themselves on an anonymous forum and they choose to be exactly the same as who they are in real life. Negativity is a disease. A positive mind is the key to success, it has the same aspects in life. Using the tutorials provided on this forum to your advantage then eventually sharing your knowledge to other users. This is how it should be.

Why spam?
Why spend your time spamming low quality shit around the forums, when in a period of time you'll be receiving warnings to eventually your closure. Your spamming to increase your post count, correct? Trying to look as if you're an asset. Nah, you're no asset, it's just a number yet again. Rather than wasting your time posting the minimum characters on every thread in the lounge, how about you take your time to brainstorm a thread that would be at interest to other users. That way, you'll be known for the better instead of the worse.

Why be an asskisser?
You want to be part of a group? Yet you have no knowledge to get involved but however your brown nosing skills are better than your job skills. It's honestly embarrassing. It might get you somewhere for a short period of time but eventually you'll plummet like a sack of shit. Grow up and spend your time wisely. Those that are placed in this category are the ones that give the snowball; (reference to my previous statement) a fucking kick down the hill. Pathetic.

Noobs and Leechers.
The beginners. This is your most important stage on a forum IMHO. Your choice to take the route of the infected or those who shine bright and try to make something of themselves by setting an example. I'm not saying I'm perfect, nobody is. But I enjoy striving to become better and hopefully help a portion of members where I can. I never felt like this until I realised myself that my posts/threads were getting me no where. I wanted to be known. Why? Because I'm spending my own personal time on a forum engaging in posts and It feels like I'm not part of the community. Once you're well known, not saying I am popular, but the active users will know what I mean, it feels much more better. You've earnt respect. You have the feeling when making every initial post that someone knows what you've done or contributed. This, then of course helps with multiple things. One being the marketplace, you'll gain much more attention if you're known for quality rather than quantity. You're here to offer your service, you want as many sales as you can possibly get! Then offer good customer service and be loyal. Everything relates around positivity and making effort which eventually creates! SUCCESS.

Regular users.
This is good. Without normal people that actually use the forum for the correct purpose, I wouldn't be here put it that way. I would categorize myself under this one due to the fact that I like to participate in discussions in a friendly manner, when necessary. I also like to contribute when I deem worthy. It might not be in a financial nor regular basis, but when I do I try to make it worthy of the time I'm spending. Members that take a little effort are much easier to co-operate with and overall have my respect. If I had a group I'd be sure to flood it with users who are willing to learn and most importantly, listen.

The assets of HackForums.
Honestly, you guys are awesome. You're a true example of how members should be. There are multiple members that come to mind: xadamxk, iHydra, Mr Kewl, etc.
http://hackforumswiki.net/index.php/Category:Members
With such quality, you do play a big toll in directing the noobs and active members to the right direction. It did with me anyway. We need this high demand of members back. It's always good to open a thread and scroll down to see its contents. I just don't see much of these anymore arising.


I don't even know why I spent time making this thread. Probably not appreciated. But I think it was due to the fact of another example. In which the OP, in detail, asked a question in a kind tone. Then out of nowhere it turned to hell because of little brats that like to target new comers because they feel in power. Probably potentially lost a member there, I know we're a big community but still that's not the point. That happens on a daily basis and its surprising how much it adds up. Trolls are infecting this place. At a high demand too. I enjoy spending my time on HackForums, I've spent over 3months on this forum and I'm just tired that the immature users are spoiling it for the many.

I really do think it's time people start maturing and realise it's not worth it. Some of you will disagree, I don't mind. Just felt like sharing my opinion. Sorry for the spelling mistakes, I'm pretty tired.
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By the way, I'm not trying to make this sound like you cant have fun on a forum. I love banter between members, but to a certain extent.

[Cryptic™]

This is going to be a good read, will update this post shortly.

Edit:

Yep I agree with you, the HF community a few years ago was way better than it is today. It was more welcoming, friendly, and groups were used for good stuff.

Lately, the majority of people buying groups are only in it to profit (i.e by milking the group for money by selling spots and leadership spots, and then selling it a few months down the road).

[Scymo]

I'm just here to bullshit and sell products to help others make $$

[Retribute]

See, this is the type of feedback I even care to read for more than ten seconds.
I agree with all your points. It's really a shame how, in recent years, the direction members are choosing to go as you have said. The majority of the problems isn't the forum itself, nor is it the moderating body, but rather the way people choose to interact with one another.

[CPA Exposé]

It's a discussion board with thousands of members.

All different levels of age, maturity, experience. Just as in real life.

Everyone is not mature in real life, there's no reason why you should expect it to be that way on an Internet forum. That's what mods and admins are here for.

You could have made your point without the super long thread, but your effort is appreciated.

[Hexicidal]

See, this is the type of feedback I even care to read for more than ten seconds.
I agree with all your points. It's really a shame how, in recent years, the direction members are choosing to go as you have said. The majority of the problems isn't the forum itself, nor is it the moderating body, but rather the way people choose to interact with one another.

This is one of the better feedback threads to hit this subforum.

I agree 100% with the direction you took your feedback, and how you handle yourself.

Depending on the nature of future events, I might write one last one up too.

[Omniscient]

Yep I agree with you, the HF community a few years ago was way better than it is today. It was more welcoming, friendly, and groups were used for good stuff.

100% do not agree. I tend to get rid of the biggest trolls asap now. If you're harassing members I close your account. I get the complaints but they aren't as often and they deal with harshly and swiftly. It might have felt more welcoming before if only because there was a higher level of activity. But that activity also caused a lot of chaos. Some of the groups really went at each other and caused a lot of drama. A few groups were very cool but a few groups were also terrible.

I feel now that HF is more focused than ever if you're a member not into that focus the site quality is there. Percentage wise we get less reports than a few years ago.

Just saying.

[Brilliant™]

This is the first feedback thread I've read from top to bottom. You made the points about things I've very often noticed.
I must say here that you're in my respect list from today.

If I had a group I'd be sure to flood it with users who are willing to learn and most importantly, listen.

THIS. I've been waiting for exactly this word. LISTEN. It's not as easy to do as it is to type. That would solve many problems on a forum & IRL. This is exactly what I try to do before making a conclusion. You have my tremendous respect for being a master of such a great thinking.

[huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu]

I 100% agree with you, even though I wasn't around for the "good old days" I still feel the same way about select groups of members needing to mature around the forums.

[Armada]

Although your points about trolling, spamming etc are all valid, I tend to disagree with the general position in your OP.
And I tend to agree with Omni on how the site has changed over the years. I have not been here since 2007 on site launch, can only say I wish I was, it seemed like a massively different place back when it started. I mean hell Omni used to post new exploits and PoCs back in the day instead of just drone on about administrative tasks.

The site, like life itself changes with time. Sitting here going all nostalgic helps no one. Firstly the sites never going to be the same as it once was.

- And it shouldn't be. If the site remained the way it was 5-8 years ago, it would be a direct indication of ZERO PROGRESS. Do we all like the exact direction the community has gone towards? No, I read these feed back threads the same like everyone else, and the older members tend to say the same thing "It was better back then"

Ultimately what I am really reading is "We dont like change"

Well thats simply life, shit changes, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Give the site 3 more years it will have taken a new direction once again. Without change there is no progress. This would ultimately lead to the demise of the site and community as a whole.

[Mr. Robot]

I agree with OP on what you are saying for the most part, but I do believe a bit of banter is allowed every now and again, not in a trolling manner but in a "Haha OP you said blah blah instead of blah blah but here's the answer to your question".
If you get what I mean - like have a laugh, make light of a situation but still help out.

[DLT.]

Sitting here going all nostalgic helps no one. Firstly the sites never going to be the same as it once was.

Sitting here going all nostalgic? I'm simply stating that, IMO, that today's time, the a large portion of the community is heading towards the wrong direction. This thread is far from sitting "all nostalgic". I'm addressing the points of why this is happening. It's all based on example. It's a whatever status right now. Of course things change over time, everything does and everyone adjusts. However, new comers don't know any different.

Anyway, this thread is no longer needed to be open.

---

I agree with OP on what you are saying for the most part, but I do believe a bit of banter is allowed every now and again, not in a trolling manner but in a "Haha OP you said blah blah instead of blah blah but here's the answer to your question".
If you get what I mean - like have a laugh, make light of a situation but still help out.

Already stated that in the OP. I'm not pointing the direction of this thread on having fun, it's a forum...you're meant to have fun.

By the way, I'm not trying to make this sound like you cant have fun on a forum. I love banter between members, but to a certain extent.