[Dhabih]

I'll be shutting down these forums for a few days or more. I have had no time to monitor this place lately. Seems too much crap is going down, i'm not in the know about everything thats happening but it looks like serious steps do need to be taken to regain control of things. I'm right in the middle of a deadline for work and won't be able to evaluate the whole situation yet. I've gotten a lot of e-mail about things, and most of them are long so i havent even gotten to read them. Anyway, I'll be shutting down the forums today (thursday) toward the end of the day. (i'm putting notice now so people who just posted art and threads can still get feedback in the next 16 or so hours.) Once its down, everyone take a deep breath, have a coke and a smile, and think happy thoughts.

When the forums reopen, think of it as Version 3. More moderators, more guidelines, more involvement from me in forum stuff like DrawClub etc. Less trash talk, less crap, more non-crap. (its 2am, i dont talk so good.)

Until then, i once noticed some constructive threads about things that could be done to help this place out...if someone can point me to those threads if there are any i missed, i'd appreciate it. also any final thoughts should be posted here.

I want this place to be damn cool again. So do you.

Sorry for not doing this sooner.

Down time may range anywhere from 5 days to a week or two.

-dhab

[Ko]

Thanks Dhabih....

You're doing the right thing.... things have gotten really out of hand.

Steven Stahlberg wrote the following:
Which I think is a VERY good solution

"I've an idea for a script too, one that stops any new account from posting for either a. 1 month, or b. 30 log-ons, whichever takes the longest. What good would that do?
It would stop the troll (or at least slow him down a lot) who creates multiple accounts so he can keep on flaming after he gets banned, or create flamewars posing as his own enemy, etc.
It would create a cool-down period for really excited people, people too excited to read the FAQ and the rules.
It would force the newbies to learn the rules of behaviour, even if they refuse to read the rules, by lurking for a month."

Good luck with the great forum reform.

Ko

[ August 09, 2001: Message edited by: Ko ]

[Socar MYLES]

I'm sorry to hear it, Dhabih--I do love these forums--but you're absolutely right. Something does need to be done. I've been afraid to even look in Random Musings lately.

Good luck with everything, and I look forward to seeing Sijun back stronger than ever in the future.

Just wanted to let you know how much I love this place, and appreciate your having it here for us.

[spooge demon]

This is not a substitute for people behaving themselves, but someone mentioned putting a limit on new memberships.

Wait! Put down the napalm... make an arbitrary limit, say 5000, and then have a waiting list. If someone either gives up a spot, gets banned, or just does not post for a while, their spot is given to the next place in line.

Sorry I don't remember who thought of this. I suppose it would take some fancy scripting, of someone with mucho time on their hands.

Best of luck, Dhabih, with this. Please remember that this is your board, run it as you see fit, as I know you will. It does not have to be a democracy. There vill be Orrrrderrrr...

And once again, thanks for putting up with all this and providing this forum.

[ceenda]

Wow, I was wrong, he did deal with the mutant in the basement...

[gekitsu]

good luck dhab.

i hope you'll manage to make this place even better...

[gLitterbug]

Dhabih you rock!

[Maruman]

best of luck dhabih, you are a champ! you should take it easy for a while, dont rush yourself trying to get it all sorted out.. just take it easy and enjoy

[FatPenguin]

number 2 has returned!

[Etict]

Finally.

[Chapel]

Cool. Glad to see you take notice. I like the idea Spooge mention and my offer to be a moderator is still open.

[Perplexer]

you go check those mails and threads- there are some very constructive ideas- and decide carefully about what you wanna do

and when sijun is back up we'll all take care of it together. take your time though.

halleluja!

[Svanur]

If it were possible you should maybe and just maybe delete accounts that weren't used in the last 3 or so months or more. Probably be able to erase a lot of old bogus accounts and accounts that people haven't been using. You would maybe be able to see the real member account.

Just my 2 cents

[Dryfire]

sounds good.... good luck on your reworking

[dr . bang]

Hey Dhabih

STRICT Moderator and Guidelines would be good.

[quaternius]

Good thoughts for changes Dhabih -
Good luck with those changes too. I vote for both Steven Stahlberg's idea and Spooge's limits too -- but I'm sure whatever changes you decide to make will be a substantial improvement.

See ya on the flip side...

[Pat]

Yaaaay!

-Pat

[jr]

yes dhab, bring the civility back to this forum. and a "please be gone" to all the goons.

[MadSamoan]

I think upping the number of moderators could help significantly.

[Gambit]

Ceenda - Maybe the mutant in the basement was getting to big and he needed to display authority and express commitment to it. That was a funny line you gave this whole situation.

Good luck to Dhabih! You mentioned some important things for this board to regain its composure and thrive once again.

Individuals like faustgfx, Imapler and Chapel are wise choices for moderators. They seem to posses higher IQs than the rest of us. They visit and post without equal.
Plus, it is always entertaining to read their posts.

I find it amusing to see how many people have joined this forum. The fact that this many people are here, will always prove to be a trial.

Good luck at work Dhabih and I hope everything works out!

[Red Leader]

Huzzah!

Hope I didn't step on your toes at all with my meddling.

Thanks for taking the time to step in, and thanks so much for having us all here to visit your forum.

You may find some positive, helpful solutions here=> Forum rulebook suggestions and here=> Moderator suggestions

I also offer my services as a Mod, if you would like me to do it. With only >200 posts, I can't really see you choosing me, but as I say, I'm willing to help out.

[ August 09, 2001: Message edited by: Red Leader ]

[burn0ut]

ill offer myself as a mod aswell if your still in need, im here .... way to much.. :/

[Probus]

be strict, but not too strict. This place needs to stay a fun place. I just hope people won�t turn their backs on newbees. Bye Dhab.

[FireFry]

I'd volunteer to be a moderator, but I'm sure you've got enough candidates already.

It's good to see your back from the dead Dhabih. Hopefully things can cool down when the forum reopens.

[Akolyte]

Thank you for taking action upon this matter. I had a few ideas about splitting the Gallery/Finished Art section into multiple art types if we cannot control the mass hysteria with a single gallery. I would also be open for moderation provided you needed some more people to do so in the future. I would seriously consider making Red Leader a moderator. He has taken a dramatic role here at Sijun, and has proven many points and helped people out with analytical critiques and straightforward suggestion. Good luck with the revamp, and thank you for coming to the rescue.

[nova]

Yea.. I know Blitz will be happy

[exo13]

cool

[Poprocksz]

Good........I hope this is the begginig and not the end....

[Totally]

hrmn.. thought the forums would be down by now...

[Spooky]

Good to know you're still around. If you need weeks to get this 'home' for many artists alike back to a kick @$$ board again, I'm sure I speak for most in saying, do what it takes to get it done. Though I've posted rarely little art as my work keeps me quite busy, I visit regulary since before joining and try to give a critique or praise when I can. This forum is a place of inspiration for many of us. Bravo to those who have provided suggestions as well. As the saying goes, 'be part of the solution, not the problem.'. Hope all goes well and let us know if there's anything else you need!