8 replies to this topic

[Ozen]

I'm kinda tired of having to treat every comment section like a minefield. Because everyone seems to have their own definition of what a spoiler is and the comment section guidelines leave the term ambiguous, I propose that the guidelines explicitly define it as follows:

 

1. Any plot details in the chapters posted thus far are not spoilers and can be discussed freely.

2. Any plot details, impressions, or anything else obtained from reading the raws (i.e., chapters that haven't been translated and posted on Batoto) are spoilers and are not to be discussed in the comment section, except in clearly marked spoiler tags (state specifically that what you're posting is a spoiler from the raws).

 

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Rationale:

 

1. If a chapter has been posted, it's safe to assume that people in the comment section will be discussing it. It makes no sense to say that all plot details ever are spoilers because that would mean that literally everything would have to be in spoiler tags. Thus, let's just say that plot details from posted chapters are not spoilers. Realistically speaking, even if you don't like this idea, you always go to the comment section at your own risk. I've heard the argument that one might look through the comment section to see if a manga is worth reading, and so every plot detail should be in spoilers. However, as argued above, no reasonable code of conduct on the commenters' part can protect you from plot details in posted chapters if you do that, so, again, you do this at your own risk.

2. It's expected that the majority of people who read chapters on Batoto won't be reading the raws. We have multiple uses for spoiler tags (to hide large blocks of text, large images, and spoilers of various definitions), so, as things stand now, you never know when you might step on a real spoiler when you open one. So, if you insist on discussing the raws outside the forum, state explicitly that you're doing it.

 

If someone disagrees, plz reply with a counterargument.

Edited by Nanachi, 16 August 2017 - 10:41 PM.

[svines85]

It doesn't really matter what those rules say, we've more than proved that already. People are gonna do what they want in those comment sections because there's no built-in restrictions and also because there's practically no means of enforcement.

 

The last revamp of those rules accomplished nothing, and for that matter, what with the gradual changeover from the early founding members to the staff now, the comment sections are ten times worse than they ever were and there's nothing that can be done short of shutting 'em down or having the default appearance be completely in spoilers, let 'em go totally unregulated and just tell people to enter at their own risk, look out for themselves and just deal with it.

[Ozen]

I see why you'd say that, but there's no sense being defeatist about it. It's better to have specific guidelines than otherwise, even if the comment sections may be worse than they were at some past time. If someone's arguing about what you should and shouldn't do, you can always show them the word of the powers that be. If the person doesn't listen, well, at least you tried.

 

I'm not saying it's a panacea, I just think it would be slightly better than what we have now.

[DemonHide]

I've been yelling at them for years. That's about all you can do with a community this size. Raise a stink and see how they like the smell, hehehe! If you have clout, presence or seniority, you can do it a lot better than I can. Otherwise, read at your own risk...

[svines85]

I see why you'd say that, but there's no sense being defeatist about it. 

 

Being a realist isn't the same thing as being a defeatist.

 

You're perfectly welcome to your opinion, good luck on your endeavors/suggestions, but I don't think you're going to see much of anything change on this site ever again.

[Ozen]

but I don't think you're going to see much of anything change on this site ever again

 

IMO, rejecting a change for the better out of hand because of that ^ is the definition of defeatism. I'm a well-practiced IRL cynic, and even I think that we should at least try. There are people who read the rules.

 

(Now, whether anyone in charge will ever see this post and update the guidelines is a totally different matter.)

[svines85]

 

 

(Now, whether anyone in charge will ever see this post and update the guidelines is a totally different matter.)

 

This is where we get into the realism vs defeatism question........again, have at it, and good luck to you

 

*psst!* *psst!*

Hey........look at my forum post count, you don't think I ain't done/said all this before? And been watching how this site is running and how much it's changed? Like over a period of years now?    

[Ozen]

Fair enough, man. XD Fair enough. For what it's worth, I've been around since the early Tower of God days, I just don't pay much attention to the community or staffing changes. In the end, you're probably right. I just felt like I had to try.

[svines85]

Fair enough, man. XD Fair enough. For what it's worth, I've been around since the early Tower of God days, I just don't pay much attention to the community or staffing changes. In the end, you're probably right. I just felt like I had to try.

 

I feel your pain too, I used to have a whole lot of people to talk to here about a whole lotta manga, but not anymore. I personally refuse to break the rules of the comment sections ("If posting Plot Details" and that means any details) and most of the people who used to use the forums to actually discuss manga/whatever (like you're supposed to) just gave up and started treating the comment sections like a forum (spoiling every new reader that makes the mistake of looking there before he starts the title) because they saw what way the wind was blowing and that the site/staff wasn't/couldn't do anything about it.

 

Oh well, I go to mangafox when I actually want to talk about a mainstream title, at least they've got forums (and rules that get enforced)   that aren't hampered by the youtube/facebook-esque, 5-second-attention-span comment section bullshit like Batoto is.