"Bill And Group: PLEASE Define Purpose Of Cross-Posting" Topic

1) This is what I found on the FAQ for the Forums:

RE: General Discussion Board
"My new topic is very important, so I want to crosspost it to General Discussion so everyone can see it?
That way lies madness. Only post to General Discussion if your topic doesn't belong anywhere else, and almost never crosspost to General Discussion."

RE: Consumer Affairs Discussion Board
My complaint involves WWII figures, and the manufacturer is in France. Can I crosspost to the WWII and French Wargaming boards?
I would prefer to keep compaints exclusively to the Consumer Affairs board, rather than let them spread into the other boards."
TMP link

2) And this is the message we are given immediately after we start a new topic, as we are given the option to cross-post:

"Crossposting allows you to spread a single discussion across multiple boards."

However, now I get the impression that if we want to use Modern figures, scenics, rules, terrain, etc. in an SF setting (with a few SF figures mixed in), we will have to break up our discussion into separate topics and gather our information piecemeal*, simply because a few people find that kind of thinking out of the box offensive.

TMP link
TMP link

That would mean that, instead of getting great constructive discussions, input and cross-pollination from multiple groups with a common application, we are forced to take apart our ideas and discuss them one tiny fragment at a time*.

QUESTION:

What is the cross-posting option really for then?

Dan
* Hmm. I wonder . . . So, if I want to talk about lasagna, do I now have to start a topic about tomato sauce, another for ground beef, another for cheese, etc.? Ridiculous, isn't it?

Get over it, and quit with the milkfloat impressions

Thanks Connard. Glad to see that I can always count on you for constructive input and support. :)

Dan
PS. Just thought of something. Maybe I shouldn't have cross-posted this, and just asked the same question twice (one for TMP Talk and one to suggest a TMP Poll?)

"However, if we want to use Modern figures, scenics, rules, terrain, etc. in an SF setting (with a few SF figures mixed in), now we have to break up our discussion into separate topics and gather our information piecemeal, simply because a few people find that kind of thinking out of the box offensive."

No, you don't. Just use the SF Discussion board to start a thread about using "modern" figures. I suspect that not too many people turn off many of the substantive boards, and those that do are unlikely to participate in your discussion anyway. If I don't want to see SF boards at all (and sometimes, CC, your relentlessness makes turning them off seem like a damn good idea), then I'm unlikely to join in on a pseudo-SF discussion on a Moderns board. Except maybe to ask why the hell it had to be cross-posted there…

Allen

Constructive input?

While I accept that there is a niche for fantasy/sci fi within our hobby (which is all fantasy anyway when you think about it), I don't really want to see threads about re-animated mummies on the Ancients boards, or threads about the use of vampires in Transylvanian armies on the Renaissance boards, or even how to best utilise your Corsican Ogres on the Napoleonics boards. Do you see?

"PS. Just thought of something. Maybe I shouldn't have cross-posted this, and just asked the same question twice (one for TMP Talk and one to suggest a TMP Poll?)"

Measure twice, cut once. Think before actting. How in the heck is this a poll subject?

Connard.

There. Just what I needed. Your opinion, even if it disagrees with mine. Was that so hard? :)

Thanks.

Dan

Don't mention it. Grizzling will do no good though, TMP is not a democracy

Allen: "How in the heck is this a poll subject?"

LOL. I guess it could be turned into one, if I was bright enough to come up with some multiple choices for people to pick, right? :)

Dan

Perhaps I'd like to ask a Modern TO&E question regarding the US military in relation to running a Battle of Yonkers zombie game. The Modern board likely has the higher percentage of accurate information providing participants and the SF or Horror boards likely has the higher percentage of participants interested in using that information for the context in which it is requested, all in one neat little topic.

Would we be having this discussion if it was about a crosspost to Terrain and 18th Century in regards to the Castillo de San Marcos? Probably not. Now, what if it were a hypothetical with pirates attacking a Spanish garrison again crossposted to the Pirates board looking for accuracy on Pirate kit? What if they are zombie pirates and then crossposted again to both the Pulp and Horror boards?

The problem I think is not always in the pertinence of some crossposts, but in the individual attitudes of the readers.

I juat post wherever I feel like. If Bill feel this is a problem, he can always remove them.
Basically, if you can't figure out or accept the rules, do what you feel like, and accept the consequences in good grace. Go read some Ayn Rand or Heinlein.

Frankly, I don't give a hoot about cross-posting, since I have my TMP minimally configured. I get it as it is sent out, with no boards turned off. Cross-posting is a non-issue to me, and if it bothers other people, somehow I can cope.
Heck, we have some peolpe asking why TMP went up like it always does on Monday, and they are asking on SciFi and Napoleonic Discussion.

I am mainly annoyed when excessive cross-posting is used as a substitute for the general discussion boards, eg. with topics like "Greatest Battle Ever" being cross-posted to every historical period board and burying the actual period specific topics.

Just use common sense.

LOL!!! "Common sense"?

C'mon Bill. Give us something! :)

Dan

Sometimes that's in short supply around here! 8)=

Common sense usually isn't, or we wouldn't be having this discussion. To me, Common sense suggests you simply don't click topic titles that don't interest you.

I agree with Goldwyrm; plenty of fictional scenarios can use real units and equipment. It seems rather pointless asking about it on the SF forums, or starting two threads.

Perhaps the 'opt-in' system for crossposted topics could be changed? Instead of it showing up on the front page if you've selected at least one of the categories, it only shows up if you've selected all of them?

Andrew Paul: "It seems rather pointless asking about it on the SF forums"

What if the replies could inspire SF gamers to expand the use of their figures into a different scenario or application?

You could post on the Modern to get solid input on modern equipment and defenses, but cross-post to SF to share a new angle on the use of that input in a fictional game.

Your thoughts?

Thanks.

Dan

"It seems rather pointless asking about it on the SF forums…"

Again, I don't agree. The application is SF; the information is modern. Those interested in the application will have the SF boards enabled, and if they have the information, may contribute.

Those not interested in the application to the extent that they have the SF boards turned off are unlikely to contribute if the question is raised on the Modern boards.

Those like John, or me, who have relatively few subjects disabled, will see the question raised wherever it is posted. No need to cross-post. Just pick *the* most pertinent board and post there.

Allen

Sometimes that's in short supply around here! 8)=

Just sometimes?

yawn…

"Folks can read, not read, like, or not like what you've done.
Like noted above, this place isn't a democracy. No matter what you do, some folks will like it, some won't care and some will dislike it."

I know. I really feel bad for Punkskum:

TMP link

We really derailed his original thread:

TMP link

Dan

There. Just what I needed. Your opinion, even if it disagrees with mine. Was that so hard?

Oh, opinions is what you are looking for. Well then…

First, you know what opinions are like, yes?

That said, my opinion on this matter is "who cares?" Seriously. Just post away to what you think is appropriate and ignore anyone that complains. There are far too many complainers on TMP to seriously care. If you have done something egregiously wrong, then Bill will let you know.

I hope that helps… or not.

Definitely helps. Thanks.

Dan

I always crosspost to 'American Wargaming' (because I am seated in the USA), to 'British Wargaming' (because I am British), to 'Scenics' (because I have a nice view out of my window) and to 'Dungeoncrawls' (because most of my stuff is kept in the basement)

Sometimes to 'Napoleonic Product reviews' because it gets blamed for all the bad behaviour on 'Napoleonic Discussion' and needs cheering up.

Is that so wrong?

There are far too many complainers on TMP to seriously care.

Kinda ironic, seeing as how the OP was a complaint…

Actually, it was a query. And I wanted to hear how the majority felt.

And still do.

Dan

One man's whine is another man's query

"Kinda ironic, seeing as how the OP was a complaint…"

Are you complaining then? :)

Dan

"Excuse me miss, I wish to register a complaint…"

That should set the OFM off

Only if you do the whole skit…

O.K., you wanted opinions, so here's my 2 cents' worth.

First let me state that there are some games and some genres that don't interest me, so I have no desire to read about them (no disrespect to them or any person who likes them and wants to post about them intended). Easy enough to achieve in theory by turning off those boards. Excessive and/or inappropriate cross-posting defeats this every time though.

I understand wanting to get as much info. as possible, from as wide an audience as possible. What I think a lot of people don't realize though is that the last board you cross-post to is the one it will show up under on the front page. So instead of starting with the most relevant board and cross-posting "downhill" to the least relevant, do it the other way around. That way it will show up on the front page under the most relevant board.

Example: Topic title on the front page reads "Question about an aircraft", and it's on the WW II aviation discussion board. O.K., I know a bit about WW II aviation so maybe I can help. When I click on it, the question reads: "I want to scratch build a spaceship for my nazi pokemon vampire zombies that looks like the imaginary ME-747 I saw in a superhero comic book 10 years ago. It will be used with my home-brew buckets of dice rules based on 40K and DBA, and will be played at my solo gaming club in Lower Podunk U.S.A. What should I do?" It's cross-posted to 23 boards, and somehow I don't think WW II aviation discussion is the most relevant (it's not relevant to that board at all IMO).

Here's another example I'm seeing a lot lately: Topic title again reads "Question about an aircraft", and again it's on the WW II aviation discussion board. Click on it and I'm greeted with "Check out my blog at xxxxx." Sorry folks, I know you love your blogs and want to get as many hits as possible, but rick-rolling like this ain't gonna get me to check it out.

In either of these examples if the poster is new to TMP I can cut them some slack, but if it's someone who has been around for awhile it strikes me as a case of "Look at me look at me look at me!", trolling, or a complete lack of thought, all of which will lead me to not read that person's topics or attempt to be helpful to them in the future.

So I think the problem is not one of cross-posting per se, but rather a lack of thought and planning in cross-posting, especially recently.

And again, I'm not picking on any specific person here.

And again, I'm not picking on any specific person here.

Its all fun and games until somebody loses an eye!
….then its just fun.

Like Mel Brooks once said: "Tragedy is when I stub my toe. Comedy is when someone else falls out of a 10th story window."

"What I think a lot of people don't realize though is that the last board you cross-post to is the one it will show up under on the front page. So instead of starting with the most relevant board and cross-posting "downhill" to the least relevant, do it the other way around. That way it will show up on the front page under the most relevant board."

Great. Now explain macroeconomics. That'll be retained just about as long.

Allen

Great. Now explain macroeconomics. That'll be retained just about as long.

Another good one!

It's also like trying to explain: "There was a big stink awhile back, with people complaining they didn't want to see certain boards. So now Obituaries and Movies are under TMP Plus. But you turned that off, thus you can't see those boards now."

I'm not sure which is worse--this thread or me actually taking the time to read this thread. It's like slowing down on the freeway during rush hour just to watch a guy changing his flat tire. As I leave the scene along side the road, I feel like such a moron for having taken the time to actually watch the poor slob. Then again, I feel better because it was him and not me slogging about. Sigh. I will never learn.

Cap Ap is right BTW.

If it only happened once or twice a day, by new members, then yeah, no big deal.

The frequency of the examples I gave is increasing though, and by folks who aren't new.

I just post everything in the Italian wargaming forum because Im Italian.

The frequency of the examples I gave is increasing though, and by folks who aren't new.

Tis the season of giving!

Try this: If you think that you need to cross post to more than say, three boards, then just post it in general and be done.

Again, I don't agree. The application is SF; the information is modern. Those interested in the application will have the SF boards enabled, and if they have the information, may contribute.

Fair enough. As noted above, I disagree. . If the thread title is descriptive enough (which is a different issue!), you may get responses from someone who is, say, interested/knowledgeable about 10mm Vietnam miniatures ranges, for instance, but has no interest in SF. For example, there were a couple of threads about the Temeraire novels recently. I don't have the Napoleonics boards turned on, but I do have Fantasy, so I saw them, and if I had anything to add re. dragon miniatures, I could do.

Then there's the "Gaming District 9" thread:
TMP link
As well as material about the movie, it also had a couple of links to information about the South African army. Granted, the title doesn't make that obvious, but it's reason enough, IMO, to crosspost it to Modern as well as SF.

Since Bill said "Just use common sense", I intend to; if a topic contains material I feel is pertinent to more than one board, I will crosspost (unless it's sufficiently vague to go into General). If people feel this is wrong, then perhaps they should be petitioning to have the crossposting feature removed.

Cross-posting is for wimps – real men cross-dress!

Is that like trans-genre vs trans-gender?

Dan

"real men cross-dress!"

Do we have a board for that?

Not yet…

People who crosspost to everything they can think of "to get good coverage" rather than using general are mis-using the boards. And that's putting it nicely.

I think everyone should not be able to turn off the general board.
--
Tim

"real men cross-dress!"

Do we have a board for that?

Would the Napoleonic boards (with their obsession in clothing details) be close enough?

LOL!!! All those pretty ribbons, trims and buttons. Hmm.

Dan

"Would the Napoleonic boards (with their obsession in clothing details) be close enough?"

What popped into my mind was something more like this:

picture

Allen

Yikes. Now, THAT'S what I call real trans-genre cross-posting!!!

Dan