Revisiting ISO:FT replies

I like the idea of requiring new comers to be registered for a while, but I think a 4-6 month time period like people are requesting runs the risk of losing their interest. I feel like a month or two is plenty of time to learn what is going on with trading, especially if the beer trading 101 thread suggests new comers to start small and work their way up. Examples could be extremely useful as well, discussing shelf beers, brewery only releases etc...

As far as replies go, I am all for it. It seems like the majority of people who would reply actually give useful information. If replies don't bump the thread then that seems like it should help. If two people want to argue it out on page 10, that's perfectly fine by me.

 

Allow replies without bumping the thread so it dies.

this is perfect. simple. less work you you, less headaches for us.

we all win.

 

My thought here is that the sticky would not just be names, but include concise notes on what we know/justification as to why the person is on the list to begin with.

This serves as specific warning and as an educational tool for new traders on what constitutes misuse of the forum/bad conduct. It also provides a jumping-off point as to how one might redeem oneself. Without notes I don't think this would really be possible. Additionally, perhaps hidden to the public is also a note containing the name of the user(s) who originally sponsored the bad trader alert. If the sponsors come back later and say the person made good on the deal and that they feel the issue is resolved then the bad trader could be removed from the list...

... whiiiich leads me to another idea (again, potentially just background/non-public): have a second list/tag for users called "probation." Basically they still have full use of the forum but are being watched or, if public, traders ought to proceed with caution when dealing with this person. (edit: I guess this is just your "trade with caution" comment)

 

If you do implement replies again, I think all of the features you listed would be the best way to do it.

 

I'm a relatively new member and don't post much, but lurk hard. I plan on setting up my first trade soon. I have learned a lot from when ISO:FT replies were active. While I acknowledge some of it seemed threadshiting, allowing replies in ISO:FT keeps the general help trading forum from becoming congested from what's it take/what's my bottle worth bullshit. Let the vets keep the noobs in check.

Also, I agree that replies in ISO:FT should not bump the thread, this keeps threadshit entertainment and other shenanigans on the sidelines, not stopping the next trade offer from taking the spotlight. With all the new trading members in this community replies should be active, but moderated.

I like the Idea of "We can also create a Beer Trader user group that would allow users to post in the ISO:FT forum only after they've been a member for a specific period of time; whatever we come up with."

Let's go back to the way things were with out the FT: 09DL ISO:ANN/chigaco tasting group wars bs.

 

I really love the idea of setting a few month waiting period before new users can post in the ISO:FT forum. I think it should also be combined with a set amount of posts as well. Hopefully those 2 combined would help weed out some of the ridiculous ISO:FT threads.

 

How about that after the waiting period is up for new users to start using the trading forums they have to take a short quiz?

Make it simple, easy, maybe 10 questions - all answers located in the trading 101 sticky or elsewhere on this site. Just enough substance to help ensure that the waiting period wasn't simply that - that the user actually bothered to learn the bare minimum of what was expected.

 

I think all the modifications you mentioned are positive. The no bump reply is key and will allow the community to self regulate the ISO:FT posts while still providing useful information and cutting down on BS offers. Thanks for the hard work guys!

 

The no bump thing is genius as it fits in nicely with the wait for post privileges. By the time noobs have enough time on the site to be traders, they will be familiar with the search features, and the helpful feedback that replies provides (IMHO it is helpful even when it is not put in the nicest manner possible) will show up on their search results. I am in favor of implementing all the changes noted in OP. I think Rempo or Stupac would be good mods BTW.

 

I'm on board with these ideas, except I don't think a moderator is absolutely necessary. Too many people disagree on what constitutes a "thread shit". I say don't control it at all, you can't make everone happy.

It might not be bad to let this area of the site develop organically. It will definitely make the site more fun to use again.

 

Agreed 100%.

 

I mentioned the ability to turn on and off comments in the previous thread. Thought in the previous trading forum people were very good about respecting a person's request to non thread crap and others were also very polite to recpect and police that for the poster. It is the lack of information that a poster can request or be given that seriously has hurt that forum now

Love the idea of threads not getting bumped back to the top with comments. Also love the having to wait to join the trading group as I did have to wait before I could join it and even then I thought the best way to learn was to watch, read the forum and learn. it is has been very frustrating to watch of late. There needs to be a tutortial on what the propper manners should be in the forum.

I do think a couple of moderators would be good as they can step in and shut down a thread going the wrong way or they can give useful information to the poster and avoid any confilcts that could occur before they happen

 

I'm def on board with all that was mentioned.

 

If this is what it takes to get replies back to the forum, I'm all for them.

I would be leery of setting a time period of "months" for people new to the site, I would prefer to see it around 30 days. Putting the bar too high has the potential to seriously cut into the new blood coming into the trading scene.

I'd be curious about "public warnings". Is this like a public square for flogging? While that might be amusing, I have no idea what it actually means.

 

I think stickies for a Bad Trader list, packaging tips, and Beer Trading 101 would be an excellent addition.

I still don't see any value in adding replies. I've been around here for a few years and have seen the differences between replies and no replies and will continue to believe that there is absolutely no reason for them. A lot of those threads were certainly funny and entertaining but they also turned away a lot of new traders and potential traders. For every helpful post there were literally dozens of posts with no other intent than to humiliate the OP or dictate the value of a beer and I just don't think that adds value to the site or the trading community.

The argument that "The OP needs to know that his trade was bogus" is such a crock of crap. Why does he/she NEED to know that? This is a free market, supply and demand will always keep us in balance. If someone posts FT: PTE ISO: Izzy, it's probably not going to get done. Is a reply saying "Hey bud, you're probably going to have to give up a lot more to get that beer" helpful to the OP? Sure. But will it matter if it's one reply out of fifty on the post when the forty-nine other replies are hammering the OP for being ignorant and calling him/her a noob and generally treating that person like a third rate citizen?

Furthermore, why on earth do I care what two other BA traders do with their beer? It's simply none of my business if it gets done or it doesn't. We don't really have a major problem here. "Clogging up my screen with garbage ISO:FT posts is soooo annoying" is just ridiculous. Look through the ISO:FT and if something you have or want is on there, click it. If the trade doesn't fit what you're looking for, MOVE ON. The concept is pretty simple.

I love this site and have spent way more time on it than I ever expected when I discovered it. Getting on BA is a great time for me and I check it constantly. I've met some great people through the trading forums and have had the chance to try beers I never would have otherwise but the constant bickering and whining about things on this free site can be so redundant and annoying. All that being said, I'll still adapt and trade no matter the circumstances and make the best of it. End long, wordy, whiny, rant.

 

This is why they're having such difficulties deciding on whether to bring them back or not. At least the Bros are actively in the community having members participate in discussion to figure out how to clean up the messes.

I do agree with you, though, about letting people do what they want with THEIR beer, but I also have to agree with those that said replies gave a wealth of info, so I'm sort of on the fence about it. Maybe people need to search some before posting up a bunch of threads wanting to know if they can get X beer with Y beer.

 

I absolutely hate the limit on ISO posts in a week. I know you can tweak your original ISOs after the fact, but you can't change the title and, let's face it, once it's off the first page, the odds of someone seeing it plummet dramatically. It's not like I'm posting different versions of the same ISO over and over, but when hunting for the hard-to-find stuff, one ISO doesn't always cut it.

 

I use the "Mark Forums Read" tab to determine what has been added since my last visit. New posts will be in bold. I don't get concerned with page numbers when using this feature.

 

so many replies to read, but I agree with them. also the guy who said he has learned a lot because of the replies to the ISO:FT. I think it is good to turn them back on with the above.

 

Maybe a filter would be a good idea? Most of the ISO are for Rare BCBS, Heady, HF, currently hyped beers, etc... anyway, perhaps tabs for "Wale Hunters."