Concerning Certain Issues

[GoAnderson]

Firstly, let me begin by saying that I support Carly and her actions. The threads she closed were pretty much a closed loop of ignorance and downright uselessness, and so should have been closed. I, myself, am eyeing a few threads with a watchful eye.

But that detracts from the point of the thread. All actions done TO the forum were discussed by the staff beforehand, and I assure you we have good intentions. If some of you dislike the closing of threads, then I can only offer the comfort of the words, "Suck it up." I do agree that Carly's picture was a bit on the mean side, though, to be fair.

HOWEVER, as of now I'm issuing an ultimatum: Useless threads that serve no purpose, polls that offer no discussion other than "I lik ___ n u don so u suck die", and most of all outright contempt for other forumgoers, staff OR the layman, will result in stricter punishment than before.

_Concerning Signature Dimensions

This, as said in the rules, isn't strictly enforced. We see an oversized/inappropriate signature, we remove it – end of story. It's understandable that you, the people, would want an alert to whether the signature has been removed, and I agree. Hell, even one of the staff members who had a big sig had the "Signature removed due to ___" for a while during hiatus, so this applies to everyone.

_Concerning the Lay of the Land

Things will be changing outside of what I've mentioned. I'm afraid that I am not at liberty to say what, exactly, but both the site and the forums will be undergoing some changes in specific areas. Look out for falling rocks.

_Concerning the Need for Closure

In closing, let me say this: Things have changed, will change, and will continue to change. It goes far beyond these forums. However, these are only that, only changes, so don't let it drive you to madness. I know you people, and you're stronger than that. So I'm going to trust you to accept the change in stride.

Discussion and criticism is welcome, but I'd appreciate it if you directed your criticisms at ME, if need be. I'm here for you to vent at, no strings attached.

Discuss.___

[oceanizer]

Thanks GA for writing up.

About sig, replace "Hell, even one of the staff members who had a big sig had the "Signature removed due to ___" for a while during hiatus" to "two."

Though GA wrote it in first person, whatever he wrote is the general opinion on Arlong Park staff, so please know that. AP staff don't act on an instinct. We do things with a reason.

We want to have an intelligent and fun place here, which we used to be. Please help us bring that back.

[CosmicDebris]

Change is good. Keep up the good work, y'all.

[Bounty1Berry]

I hate to make debate here, but I will warn of what I saw on another forum in a much smaller fandom– when the administrative staff decided that they'd had enough of the spam and closed out some long-running spam centres (as in "post 300 pages of smilies and call it progress" spam), it was enough to split the fanbase among three different forums; none ever reclaimed the little glory the original one had. While Arlong Park is far bigger than that forum (which had maybe 150 members at peak, at most 25 of which being significant posters), it's a delicate dance when the people who spam also contribute positively.

[AWB]

@GoAnderson:

Firstly, let me begin by saying that I support Carly and her actions. The threads she closed were pretty much a closed loop of ignorance and downright uselessness, and so should have been closed. I, myself, am eyeing a few threads with a watchful eye.

That answers some of my questions, but it also spawns a new question: what was it about those threads that you considered ignorant? I ask this not so I can debate on whether your choice to close the threads was acceptable, but merely because I want to understand.

HOWEVER, as of now I'm issuing an ultimatum: Useless threads that serve no purpose, polls that offer no discussion other than "I lik ___ n u don so u suck die", and most of all outright contempt for other forumgoers, staff OR the layman, will result in stricter punishment than before.

Let me be the first to say thank you. I greatly appreciate a much stricter attitude towards contempt.
@oceanizer:

AP staff don't act on an instinct. We do things with a reason.

May I ask what your reason to close the "What are you listening to right now" thread? I have trouble believing it was because the staff thought it was useless, as many people on this forum like music including some of the staff. But if uselessness was the case then all you need to do is confirm it and I shall believe it.
@GoAnderson:

Discussion and criticism is welcome, but I'd appreciate it if you directed your criticisms at ME, if need be. I'm here for you to vent at, no strings attached.

Just thought I'd say this. It seems, based on Anderson's third paragraph as well as some of the threads Carly closed, that game threads & "internet fun" threads are considered useless.

[Ms. Suave Debonair]

I don't think the fact that 'only 5 or 6 people' post in a thread is a reason to close it. The thread is still open to everyone, they just don't want to post in that particular thread. It's pretty much telling people when a thread is dead but if people are still posting in it on a regular basis then it isn't dead.

I agree with the closing of the threads with things which we have all seen before but threads like 'what are you listening to now' and 'picture battle' didn't have much reason to be closed.

[GoAnderson]

_Bounty1Berry

Yeah, that's far from a petty concern. That the fanbase might split up had crossed our collective minds, but the thinking goes, "If it's people who just spam up the boards and act stupid all day, who cares?" in some circles. The question then becomes, who do we want to emphasize as members – the people who debate intelligently or the people who make fifty-plus pages of the same 9.5/10 or 10/10 scores? Yeah. That's why we're leaning towards stricter enforcement.

However, I do see your point entirely. I believe we should tread lightly, try to keep some unity, but in some cases it all comes down to a given person's own choice to stay on. Do we want the senior members leaving because of the ignorance? It's a big point, and I can't answer it alone.

_Pass the Rootbeer

Let's take the "Rate the Member" thread for an example. I personally don't see the point in the game, as by the eventuality of it you're down to the same 6-10 people voting the same thing, or slightly different because of what they're "wearing." Is that what we would call an intelligent discussion? No. Is it what we'd call fun? Maybe to those 6-10 people, but to some others, I'd wager it was seen as spam and disregarded. Take into account that it got bumped up usually once a day or so (by my recollection, which isn't entirely accurate, mind) it gets frustrating. That's the short answer for those kinds of threads. Not naming any names, again, I have my eye on a few threads. [/Big Brother]

The "What are you listening to right now?" thread might have been closed for a couple of reasons. Like, reason a) It's a thread at J-Rev (and that's that. >.>)… or maybe because it encouraged one-line answers that didn't serve any purpose other than to say, "Hey, I'm listening to ____ right now! I r0xx0rz. All your base belong to us," etc. etc. and whatever it is I'm not thinking of. Simply put, it has no real value in contributing to anything. It isn't really "getting to know" someone better, because it's a one-liner. So, I'm guessing that's why it was closed -- lack of purpose.

In regards to your final point, I believe it's been said, but I'll post a tentative rule I wrote up for perusal -- please, PLEASE, don't think this is finite yet.

! Recent events and a change in moderating style have prompted the staff to write this, so listen up, all ye who speak of space and Griffins. >.>
! To create a thread for discussion – that is, not a poll -- you ought to hold up two fingers and ask yourself, 'Will it create discussion?' and 'Is it a reasonable idea?'
! The first quality of a discussion thread is, of course, to promote discussion. Something interesting that hasn't been pointed out before? Point it out! Want an issue clarified? Sure! Just please, please use the Search option (or attempt to) before making something on a whim. The more you do, the less likely it is that the thread will be bashed/deleted/hurled into the third circle of hell.
! The second quality is pretty much the same ground rules, except for one thing: You should be reasonably sure that you aren't making an idiot of yourself. People perceived as idiots get bashed, bashing leads to flaming, and flaming leads to destruction… of threads, but you get the idea. That's why this is the second cardinal rule: Be reasonable.
! That said, have fun posting.

I think that's the best I can offer for an answer, sorry.

_Bad-Beat

If you go on technicality, then no, the threads like "Picture Battle" and "What are you listening to right now" aren't dead. I covered this earlier, but let me make a new interpretation: A thread might be considered "alive" when it is a healthy, functional member of society. Like a human being, if we take that perspective, then the thread must serve a purpose other than being spam. And, actually, that may or may not be an issue in the future.

ocean has brought up the idea of a "spam/fun" board, where all this stuff would go into. That way we could cut the offending threads and put them somewhere that they would be enjoyed, maybe even welcomed, but not at the expense of other members' desires not to see a given thread rise from the ashes for the umpteenth time over their new thread. I won't say whether the idea's going through or not, but anything is possible at this point if we get enough input, I suppose…

If you want to emphasize anything I've said, anyone, then please ask me here.___

[ooshi78]

keep it up guys.

ooshi78

[oceanizer]

After some consideration, I'd rather keep the forum without fun/spam board. That's just my last resort.

Pass the Rootbeer, does What are you listening right now? thread create any kind of discussion? People just go there and post without even looking at what others are listening. It's like… You go bathroom to pee (write your music), flash (post), and wash your hand (move onto the next thread). You don't care how the previous person used the bathroom unless it's really dirty (unless something other than titles/authors is posted).

If members were to write some thoughts/history/introduction on the music they're listening right now, it might've had different result, but for the last couple of pages I glanced through, all I saw was music titles and their authors. I don't see any meaning in it.

[Ms. Suave Debonair]

well oceanizer, couldn't you just tell people that that is what you'd like the thread to look like? If people are posting in a thread which mods aren't fond of, how are they going to know that if the mods don't say anything until they lock the thread?

[GoAnderson]

@Bad-Beat:

well oceanizer, couldn't you just tell people that that is what you'd like the thread to look like? If people are posting in a thread which mods aren't fond of, how are they going to know that if the mods don't say anything until they lock the thread?

Good point. By theory, if this whole "useless thread" thing is eliminated from our list of problems, then also theoretically those threads MAY resurrect in some more respectable fashion. Until then they're spammish. Sorry, but I don't see the days of "____ - ____" returning to these boards any time in the possible future.

[ooshi78]

ocean probably gives more warnings than any other mod… plus i think it's up to you guys to read the forum/topic rules and also to self moderate things when they go off topic. if you guys let things get out of hand then it's the fault of the posters.

ooshi78

[changsho]

Bad-Beat:
Some threads started out real fun; originality, humor, you name it. But after a while, a group of people ("the same 6-10"seems to take over, posting the same stuff/random crap over and over again. Unwittingly killing the fun the thread originally had, this also left out the original posters, ultimately making the thread a private playground. I'm not naming names, but I know who I'm talking about.

There's a period of time in ArlongPark where certain threads (closed now) would never flourish. Things were different then, and so were the people. Change is good, yes, but it's more like "back to before" to me.

[AWB]

@oceanizer:

Pass the Rootbeer, does What are you listening right now? thread create any kind of discussion? People just go there and post without even looking at what others are listening. It's like… You go bathroom to pee (write your music), flash (post), and wash your hand (move onto the next thread). You don't care how the previous person used the bathroom unless it's really dirty (unless something other than titles/authors is posted).

Well I always enjoyed reading everyone's posts there. Lots of songs can tell you a little about people, and I've always found that fact fascinating. But I guess I was the only one.

Thanks for clearing that up. And thanks to GoAnderson for his response as well.

[Greg]

?

What happened?

I suppose if I don't know it doesn't matter but just curious.

[Carly]

@Pass:

Well I always enjoyed reading everyone's posts there. Lots of songs can tell you a little about people, and I've always found that fact fascinating. But I guess I was the only one.

Go has it right, that was closed because it didn't put up any discussion in the least. It was 1,400 posts of one-liners and I don't see the need to keep it around. Picture battle was no discussion/bandwidth stealer, rate the member was pointless to begin with (who the hell was going to rate anyone below a six anyway ?).

Chang's also got the right idea – a lot of the threads we're eyeing have practically turned into public cliques; if anything that dumbs down any potential discussion in those threads, since no one can follow what the heck is going on and no one wants to jump in.

Those of you wondering why we can't just go 'back to before'... well, um, that's what we're doing, back in the day (like '04-early '05 or so) none of this would've flown :laugh: Of course we want to keep the place fun and open, but we don't want 'discussion' to be nothing but goofy games. You can post stuff about your daily going-ons, current events, such and so. Everyone has something to say about those; once you post in a 'lol my favorite is...' thread there's nothing more to say about it.

(slightly off-topic, but:

It's like… You go bathroom to pee (write your music), flash (post), and wash your hand (move onto the next thread).

ocean, you just unintentionally reminded me of one of my most confusing moments in Japan :laugh:)

[warp]

@oceanizer:

After some consideration, I'd rather keep the forum without fun/spam board. That's just my last resort.

Pass the Rootbeer, does What are you listening right now? thread create any kind of discussion? .

no, but a thread like picture battle was fun. It's not those 6 to 10 peoples fault that other people don't post. Ask a question get a stupid answer has no kind of disscusion once so ever neither does out of the context, but they are still open. Why? Because they are funny and fun. It's not justy about "dissucsion" a forum can be fun too. Though threads like what are you listening to right now and rate the member i can see why they were closed, but not picture battle. That thread was fun. Like i said before it's those 6-10 peoples fault other people dont post pictures.

Though as the whole "disscusion" issue i find that somewhat of a load of crap myself(no offense). Great threads like OOC have no "disscussion" once so ever, but yet it was voted and won the greastest thread of arlong park…Just because a thread doesn't have "disscusion" doesnt mean its useless.

Topics like "what if peter griffin joined the strawhat pirates" is spam that deserves to be closed because it is spam. Spam and no disscusion are different.

Also please don't give me a answer of "well if you dont like it suck it up."

[Carly]

'Fun' does not equal 'constructive', especially when it's the same people over and over and over again. I hate to say it, but, if you don't like it, su-

@warp:

Also please don't give me a answer of "well if you dont like it suck it up."

• damn.

[GoAnderson]

@Greg:

?

What happened?

I suppose if I don't know it doesn't matter but just curious.

It's a long story, but in a nutshell: Threads have been popping up such as "What if Peter Griffin were in the Strawhats?" and I'm sure you remember the "Will they go into space?" one. To cut back on the level of… err... call it whatever you want, but we don't fuckin' want it anymore, is the gist of the feeling. >.>

There's also been some disrespect by certain members, and that's also being addressed.

Edit: Oh, the "Stupid Question/Answer" thread? That one's gonna get gobbled up sooner or later, trust me.

[taboo]

Great threads like OOC have no "disscussion" once so ever, but yet it was voted and won the greastest thread of arlong park…Just because a thread doesn't have "disscusion" doesnt mean its useless.

Threads like OOC and 'Rate the Sig/avy' are good because they require brains and creativity. OOC, while it does have it's fair share of silly posts, is funny because it makes fun of scenes in One Piece.

Though I'm sitting on the fence through this one. I choose not to take either side for my own reasons. u__u

[Seta Ginny]

There's not really much I can add here…but the quality of the forum has sunk a lot since several years ago...and we should have drawn the lines of what's acceptable and what's not as far as threads go a lot sooner. But we didn't draw it, and people kept pushing it and pushing it. It's really gotten to the point of ridiculousness, and something HAD to be done. ...and Carly started it off.

We seriously are working hard to try and work things out. Just bear with us.

[warp]

Oh hell no!

Rating sig and avatar just closed. That thread was fun! And was actually commenting on people's "creativity"* of peoples avatar and signature. That takes it too far guys. That thread actually had a lot of commenting people. It wasnt just the same old people again.

Why did you close that thread it actually had a purpose of seeing weather people liked each others new avatar or signature. It's better then in one thread out of nowhere "HEY AWESEOME SIG!" That would seem more likely to cause spam IMO

*= someone avatars aren't actually made bt them like my avatar and sig(thanks someguy at kf and taboo)

[Bounty1Berry]

I wish there was a "catch-all" thread in each forum.

Sometimes, you have a point which you feel is worth SHARING, but not worth a whole discussion thread. The resultant threads would be low-quality, but at the same time it's silly not to share the valuable point. If it proved worthwhile, it could be spun out into a full thread once the nature of the discussion was clearer.

[ooshi78]

@warp:

Oh hell no!

Rating sig and avatar just closed. That thread was fun! And was actually commenting on people's "creativity"* of peoples avatar and signature. That takes it too far guys. That thread actually had a lot of commenting people. It wasnt just the same old people again.

Why did you close that thread it actually had a purpose of seeing weather people liked each others new avatar or signature. It's better then in one thread out of nowhere "HEY AWESEOME SIG!" That would seem more likely to cause spam IMO

*= someone avatars aren't actually made bt them like my avatar and sig(thanks someguy at kf and taboo)

um yeah… people saying "i think yours is 100/10" is hardly commenting on someone's creativity. the thread's still open so you guys still have a chance to clean it up...

ooshi78

[warp]

really? Thats news to me…

http://apforums.net/showthread.php?t=60

ppffft

tho comments like Omg 100/10 are annoying,but they arent all that

[Greg]

It's a long story, but in a nutshell: Threads have been popping up such as "What if Peter Griffin were in the Strawhats?" and I'm sure you remember the "Will they go into space?" one. To cut back on the level of… err... call it whatever you want, but we don't fuckin' want it anymore, is the gist of the feeling. >.>

I see~

Well, my opinion has always been, it's WZ's board and I'm here for free so I really have no place to complain with whatever decisions he approves of. There's always room to ask for an explanation or for clarification and he's always been cool in doing so.

It may be tough and it may hit some of you as rude but that's life when you're on someone else's ground. If you wanna see what strict enforcement creates, check out DaizEX's MB. EX keeps that place spit-shine clean and it's for the better.

Yes, some threads ARE fun. And do we need 'em? Eeeeeh MAYBE but you know what? Chances are there's another MB out there that has 'em. Besides, you can always PM one of your buds from here to see what they're doin'.

Just remember, it's someone else's territory and while it's here for your fun, if they think you're pissing on their property, then you should just accept that them's the breaks.

[ooshi78]

my point exactly… that thread was great in the beginning. i don't even think buc checks that thread anymore and he made it.

ooshi78

[Bloodfoot]

I'm happy to see the trash threads closed. They're shit-flavored cotton candy.

Good for you mods and admins!

[warp]

why not just have a spam section, BUT with a limit no "i like cheese threads" maybe just a forum for pointless games so everyone can be happy. IDK

[Seta Ginny]

You know, omae, I've actually been saying we should get VegettoEX in here to clean up the forum for a long time now. His forum is one of the nicest on the net. While I'm not sure I would want us to be quite as strict as he is, we do stand to learn a lot from DaizEX.

[Carly]

@warp:

why not just have a spam section, BUT with a limit no "i like cheese threads" maybe just a forum for pointless games so everyone can be happy. IDK

The point is to be rid of it entirely…

[ooshi78]

@warp:

why not just have a spam section, BUT with a limit no "i like cheese threads" maybe just a forum for pointless games so everyone can be happy. IDK

if you want a spam section, why don't you set up a board and moderate it? then you can allow all the threads you want.

ooshi78

[hyakamaru]

@GoAnderson:

Concerning Signature Dimensions

This, as said in the rules, isn't strictly enforced. We see an oversized/inappropriate signature, we remove it – end of story. It's understandable that you, the people, would want an alert to whether the signature has been removed, and I agree. Hell, even one of the staff members who had a big sig had the "Signature removed due to ___" for a while during hiatus, so this applies to everyone.

thank you for addressing this issue.

[joekido the Second]

I won't mind changes. Sometimes changes scares me. But I have to agree that some post are pointless and should be locked. I have no judgement against this, this is the decision of the Mod. Sometimes things gets messy and spamish so someone has to do something.

[Onigumo]

I understand and accept these changes…Even if my poll request was turned down. We can't all have what we want if were going to have an enjoyable fourm.

[Local-chan]

So, from what I can gather from this, somebody could make a 'Random Talk' thread where people can talk about whatever topic they like (obviously having a limit on certain things) technically it would still be on the borders of the topic discussion (random stuff) so it would count right?

[oceanizer]

@1:

So, from what I can gather from this, somebody could make a 'Random Talk' thread where people can talk about whatever topic they like (obviously having a limit on certain things) technically it would still be on the borders of the topic discussion (random stuff) so it would count right?

We have IRC channel for that purpose. Why don't you come to IRC? It's not all that difficult and we need people there!

(Or you can use AIM/YIM/MSN, too…)

[Ms. Suave Debonair]

Well, the mods seem to be closing some threads for certain reasons while they leave some threads open dispite the fact they have followed the trends of closed ones.

for example, the 'Back in U.S.A' thread has been a discussion of people's favourite food, not about Satsuki's japan experience etc…but remains open.

[thelousy]

Patience my friend, things that are proven to be spammed/out of point will be dealt with later. They do have a life!

[Local-chan]

@oceanizer:

We have IRC channel for that purpose. Why don't you come to IRC? It's not all that difficult and we need people there!

(Or you can use AIM/YIM/MSN, too…)

Hmmm good point, although as you said you need people there. No use in going if there are hardly anybody there wouldn't you think? Anywho I was just merely pointing it out that technically somebody could do that, although if I'm right in understanding it would probably be deleted or something?

[Majek]

@Bad-Beat:

Well, the mods seem to be closing some threads for certain reasons while they leave some threads open dispite the fact they have followed the trends of closed ones.

for example, the 'Back in U.S.A' thread has been a discussion of people's favourite food, not about Satsuki's japan experience etc…but remains open.

You're comparing that thread with the closed ones? :blink:

[Carly]

@Bad-Beat:

Well, the mods seem to be closing some threads for certain reasons while they leave some threads open dispite the fact they have followed the trends of closed ones.

for example, the 'Back in U.S.A' thread has been a discussion of people's favourite food, not about Satsuki's japan experience etc…but remains open.

Discussion, not one-liners… !

[Ms. Suave Debonair]

@Carly:

Discussion, not one-liners… !

But off topicness, the AP couples/ crush thread has been warned twice for going off topic…

[Majek]

@Bad-Beat:

But off topicness, the AP couples/ crush thread has been warned twice for going off topic…

That thread was spam to begin with and when going offtopic there was even more spam.

[oceanizer]

@1:

Hmmm good point, although as you said you need people there. No use in going if there are hardly anybody there wouldn't you think? Anywho I was just merely pointing it out that technically somebody could do that, although if I'm right in understanding it would probably be deleted or something?

We have around 20 people idling all the time, and at my night, I see people chattering. It's just more fun if we have more

@Bad-Beat:

But off topicness, the AP couples/ crush thread has been warned twice for going off topic…

Yes, and we're paying attention to that :] Thanks for reminding though.

And Satsuki's thread is not off topic any more! (But either way, think about it. If someone went somewhere else and came back, don't you ask them how the trip was? It's natural that they'll be talking about all the stuff happened wherever (Japan, this case), including the food.)

[captain usopp]

just a hypothetical question; If there was a thread that was obviosly worthless spam, but it was a thread that you enjoyed, none the less, would you close it for the greater good? I was just thinking. I tend to be the curios type.

There are a few points brought up, that I agree with.
WZ said there are too many worthless threads. (though I did laugh when I read the phrase "what if peter griffin joined the SH" and yes I agree it was a useless thread, I still laughed)

When I first joined this place was exciting with lots of fun people to talk to, like Omae, and E1n, and Cosmic, etc. Recently we've gotten so many new people with nothing but irritating posts. (won't menchion names) I know I'm relativly new too, and some people may think some of my posts are stupid too, but it has been happening too much. I agree with the Mods for wanting to improove the board.

This brings me to my beef. I don't mind you closing threads. As OMAE pointed out, "this is WZ's board, not mine" I just want my mods to be nice, or at least diplomatic about it. I don't want to see "closed cause i'm board are you are stupid" or an insulting picture to go along. I see, Go anderson, Oceanizer, and Wanderer Zero close a thread, and I actually like what they post, and accept it. Sometimes I even laugh at the hidden humor in the way they word it.

I was already on a chat forum a few years back, where everyone was a jerk to me. to be honest, I was quite frightened that everyone would hate me and bash me when I first came here. I was rather releived, after a few weeks to see no one was out to get me. I want this to stay a friendly board where I feel welcome. That's why I like AP.

Lastly, I would like a random post thread. I like that sometimes. heck, I like to see other threads go off topic with random thoughts. I just feel bad about that, cause I know it's probably bothering others. I'd like a thread where I'm free to babble. Heck, my favorite thread was the "how was your day thread" Which I keep forgetting to post in cause I've been busy.

Ocean, what is this IRC? is it a message board, like AP, or is it instant messaging like MSN? I have troubles keeping track of multiple people on instant chat programs. Another reason I like AP.

[hyakamaru]

@captain:

Ocean, what is this IRC? is it a message board, like AP, or is it instant messaging like MSN? I have troubles keeping track of multiple people on instant chat programs. Another reason I like AP.

irc is a chat program, much like the online chatrooms of ancient times.
and not only is it a chatroom, it also has DCC capabilities.. perfect for dl-ing and file transfers

http://apforums.net/faq.php?faq=irc_guide#faq_irc_beginner

[DeadJustice]

I posted in some of those threads whenever I was bored, though I never made a habit of it. I can see why some people would be upset, but its not really that bad. Its not like people get warned for being off-topic all the time, just when gets out of hand. Problems like this were on another board I frequent, where me and a group of my friends would go off-topic a lot even if we really didn't mean to. We created another forum for just us and we screw around on it and sometimes we're serious, but we can still enjoy the forum we originally came from. In fact most of the people in our forum became mods at the original forum because we were long standing members. So that's an idea for those of you that are upset by this. Just start a forum for you guys to chill at, but still come and talk at AP.

[CosmicDebris]

Satsuki's post is about Japan. People in the thread who live/have lived in Japan chimed in on their experiences, leading to more discussion about Japanese food. If you just change the topic title to "Japan experience", then it's solidly on topic. :laugh:

[oceanizer]

That reminded me that once some of the staff here made an RPG forum outside of Arlong Park Forum because we didn't want to have it here but they wanted to play OP related RPG. Even though I don't think that lasted for a long time, we didn't mind at all that they made forum with (almost) same member for different purpose. I believe there're some more One Piece related forum out there that were deprived from this forum, and I think they're operating just fine for a different purpose.

It's not like I'm (we're) kicking some of you out of this forum, but if you feel the need of making fun/spam board, I won't stop you from doing so. Please let us know the URL once it got stablized with some number of members participating regulary, so we can link it somewhere in the forum, maybe around FAQ & Rules page.