Dominion Strategy Forum

Meta => Feedback => Topic started by: Captain_Frisk on May 15, 2012, 02:45:42 pm

Title: Mafia
Post by: Captain_Frisk on May 15, 2012, 02:45:42 pm
Am I the only one who's put off by the Mafia games running?  It seems like my unread posts since last visit are containing a lot less "Dominion Strategy" - but I recognize that I may be in the minority here.

Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 15, 2012, 02:50:15 pm
To be honest, it bugs me too, and I'm participating in a Mafia game.  I read "Recent Posts (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=recent)", which is flooded with Mafia posts now.

One suggestion is to browse the forum with "unread topics": http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;start=0

Another is to use http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;c=1 which is all unread posts in the Dominion-related forums.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Captain_Frisk on May 15, 2012, 02:54:25 pm
To be honest, it bugs me too, and I'm participating in a Mafia game.  I read "Recent Posts", which is flooded with Mafia posts now.

One suggestion is to browse the forum with "unread topics": http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;start=0

Another is to use http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;c=1 which is all unread posts in the Dominion-related forums.

That second one is what I was looking for.  "Recent posts" is chaos man... i can't drink from the firehose.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 15, 2012, 02:57:52 pm
Another is to use http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;c=1 which is all unread posts in the Dominion-related forums.
That second one is what I was looking for.  "Recent posts" is chaos man... i can't drink from the firehose.
I read literally every post ever posted to these forums.  If you've ever posted it, I've read it.

With Mafia, though, I might no longer be able to keep this up.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 15, 2012, 02:59:14 pm
I read literally every post ever posted to these forums.  If you've ever posted it, I've read it.

With Mafia, though, I might no longer be able to keep this up.

I think I read pretty much every thread as well, apart from long winded maths ones that were not really going anywhere and the decline of civ ones, those were just numbingly boring.

But then im a forum junkie!
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Thisisnotasmile on May 15, 2012, 03:02:41 pm
I used to read averything but then I got a job and didn't have the time to keep up with everything so I just stopped browsing the boards that interested me the least (simulation, fan cards, game reports) and stopped reading anything in the other boards that didn't look particularly exciting or looked too long to be bothered with. Works fine for me.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Galzria on May 15, 2012, 03:04:14 pm
I live here now, so, you know...  ::)

And though I could see the MAFIA threads being annoying for those with no interest... I dunno. I find them massively entertaining. But then again, they're my cup of tea. It would be nice for others if there were an easy way to filter boards out of common views or interests.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: greatexpectations on May 15, 2012, 03:06:49 pm
I used to read everything but then I got a job and didn't have the time to keep up with everything so I just stopped browsing the boards that interested me the least (simulation, fan cards, game reports) and stopped reading anything in the other boards that didn't look particularly exciting or looked too long to be bothered with. Works fine for me.

dude i read everything because i have a job. 
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 15, 2012, 03:12:06 pm
I used to read everything but then I got a job and didn't have the time to keep up with everything so I just stopped browsing the boards that interested me the least (simulation, fan cards, game reports) and stopped reading anything in the other boards that didn't look particularly exciting or looked too long to be bothered with. Works fine for me.

dude i read everything because i have a job.

Spot on for me too!

Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: ftl on May 15, 2012, 03:29:08 pm
Heh, I always read the forums by going to http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php and then clicking on the boards where there's a "new" icon. I never even realized that there was a way to see all the new posts agglomerated somewhere, where the non-dominion posts were getting in the way... The whole non-dominion-related section is off the bottom of the page when I load f.ds anyway for me.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: WanderingWinder on May 15, 2012, 03:40:33 pm
Another is to use http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;c=1 which is all unread posts in the Dominion-related forums.
That second one is what I was looking for.  "Recent posts" is chaos man... i can't drink from the firehose.
I read literally every post ever posted to these forums.  If you've ever posted it, I've read it.

With Mafia, though, I might no longer be able to keep this up.
Ditto, except I'm still going to keep up, even with the mafia-ness. Though it's a little disappointing not to be able to crack jokes in there randomly - I've actually thought of a couple...
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 15, 2012, 03:44:11 pm
Another is to use http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;c=1 which is all unread posts in the Dominion-related forums.
That second one is what I was looking for.  "Recent posts" is chaos man... i can't drink from the firehose.
I read literally every post ever posted to these forums.  If you've ever posted it, I've read it.

With Mafia, though, I might no longer be able to keep this up.
Ditto, except I'm still going to keep up, even with the mafia-ness. Though it's a little disappointing not to be able to crack jokes in there randomly - I've actually thought of a couple...

I'm having to withhold cracking jokes in the one im in in case they make me look suspicious somehow!  And I still read the other one.

I think its important not to let them get out of hand though, 3 are going now by the looks of it, even if it means the more that are going the more likely some will fold and leave people dissapointed.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: chwhite on May 15, 2012, 03:51:45 pm
I enjoy watching the Mafia games for now, but I do hope they don't overwhelm the rest of the board.

FWIW I read just about everything except fan cards and the IsoDom stuff.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Thisisnotasmile on May 15, 2012, 03:53:32 pm
I used to read everything but then I got a job and didn't have the time to keep up with everything so I just stopped browsing the boards that interested me the least (simulation, fan cards, game reports) and stopped reading anything in the other boards that didn't look particularly exciting or looked too long to be bothered with. Works fine for me.

dude i read everything because i have a job. 

this site is blocked where I work, unfortunately.


And as for multiple mafias, I'd prefer it was just one at a time and as many people could sign up as wanted to.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on May 15, 2012, 03:54:59 pm
Theory, how hard is it to implement a block of certain threads/subforums? This might help with the issues some people have.

edit: I'm talking about being able to personally block them if I wasn't clear.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Galzria on May 15, 2012, 03:58:22 pm
TINAS: I agree that would be awesome, however as this is the first game for so many of us (especially over in M-II), I am very appreciative of the smaller scale.

Still, I would be in favor of that after these two end.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: ftl on May 15, 2012, 04:01:18 pm
Ditto, except I'm still going to keep up, even with the mafia-ness. Though it's a little disappointing not to be able to crack jokes in there randomly - I've actually thought of a couple...

You be crazy, you.

Quote
I think its important not to let them get out of hand though, 3 are going now by the looks of it, even if it means the more that are going the more likely some will fold and leave people dissapointed.

Yeah, there's a chance they'll go the way of the solo challenges, where everyone starts posting them and then nobody participates in a bunch of them.

Am I the only one who's put off by the Mafia games running?  It seems like my unread posts since last visit are containing a lot less "Dominion Strategy" - but I recognize that I may be in the minority here.

I'm a little mixed. On one hand, yeah, Mafia games aren't really Dominion talk. On the other hand, they are in the 'Other Board Games' sections, in their own threads, it's not like those threads are taking over the boards, and it seems a little strange to expect that every single thread on the forums is of interest to any particular person. I don't really read the variants or solo challenges or IsoDom stuff that often, I would expect that the people who don't want to deal with the Mafia stuff would just not check up on the 'Other Board Games' subforum except on occasion.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 15, 2012, 04:38:51 pm
Theory, how hard is it to implement a block of certain threads/subforums? This might help with the issues some people have.

edit: I'm talking about being able to personally block them if I wasn't clear.

Here's an RSS link for all posts not in "Non-Dominion related" (this excludes Introductions/Other Board Games/General Discussion from the RSS): http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=.xml;type=rss;limit=100;c=1,3

Basically, this topic (http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=25009.0) explains how to manipulate RSS feeds, and you can take it from there.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Kirian on May 15, 2012, 05:28:10 pm
Another is to use http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;c=1 which is all unread posts in the Dominion-related forums.
That second one is what I was looking for.  "Recent posts" is chaos man... i can't drink from the firehose.
I read literally every post ever posted to these forums.  If you've ever posted it, I've read it.

With Mafia, though, I might no longer be able to keep this up.
Ditto, except I'm still going to keep up, even with the mafia-ness. Though it's a little disappointing not to be able to crack jokes in there randomly - I've actually thought of a couple...

I was going to be really mean, drop in, and say "I'm not a werewolf," but, alas.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Deadlock39 on May 15, 2012, 06:15:56 pm
Another is to use http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;c=1 which is all unread posts in the Dominion-related forums.
That second one is what I was looking for.  "Recent posts" is chaos man... i can't drink from the firehose.
I read literally every post ever posted to these forums.  If you've ever posted it, I've read it.

With Mafia, though, I might no longer be able to keep this up.
Ditto, except I'm still going to keep up, even with the mafia-ness. Though it's a little disappointing not to be able to crack jokes in there randomly - I've actually thought of a couple...

I was going to be really mean, drop in, and say "I'm not a werewolf," but, alas.

I was wondering if a "Mafia Commentary" thread would be a good idea so the people who had the urge to comment/interject, would have an outlet for it.  The question would be if it would have to be off limits to the actual players or if that doesn't matter (especially since it would be impossible to enforce.)
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 15, 2012, 06:20:18 pm
I was going to propose that, but it seems dangerous.  Then basically the whole forum is playing.  But it's a very very tempting idea.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 15, 2012, 06:34:03 pm
I don't think it's a good idea as then you will have everybody critiquing your posts.

BUT....Easy to achieve in secret though, just make a sub forum with restricted access and don't give any current players access (although maybe not when an admin is playing...)
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: O on May 15, 2012, 06:45:04 pm
I don't personally see why we can't have outside observers comment, outside of the possible problem of two much clutter.

I mean, it'd be nice to have the entire forum backing me when I'm explaining why FTL is mafia.  8)
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on May 15, 2012, 07:03:18 pm
Clutter is the biggest issue.  I dont mind having another thread going for outsiders, and have it on honor system that players can't check it.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: ftl on May 15, 2012, 08:17:31 pm
It would be very, very ironic that a thread about how there's too much Mafia on the Dominion forums ended up causing a new Mafia thread to be created.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Voltgloss on May 15, 2012, 10:38:33 pm
If an outsiders thread is created, would Mafia players who get killed be allowed to read/participate (after they are killed, of course)?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Galzria on May 15, 2012, 10:41:49 pm
I would hope so. The thought of waking up dead on day 2 unable to speak saddens me...

At least, it seems harsh.

Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Thisisnotasmile on May 16, 2012, 04:33:27 am
I vote 100% no to any kind of outside commentary on any mafia game while it is still going. If you wanted to partake, you should have signed up.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Davio on May 16, 2012, 04:42:14 am
Clutter is the biggest issue.  I dont mind having another thread going for outsiders, and have it on honor system that players can't check it.
I don't mind either, just BLOCK me from the thread, otherwise I WILL read it. That's curiosity for you.
And mostly because I use the "Show unread topics" as my starting point for the forums.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 16, 2012, 05:11:05 am
Worried this wil make each game a trial by media if you allow others to do runninh commentary on it.

Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: lympi on May 16, 2012, 06:32:26 pm
So this discussion has made me realize I've been missing like, a ton of posts on f.ds.

I usually read from the "Show unread posts since last visit. (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread)" link on the top of every page that goes to "Recent Unread Topics" which I assumed was just everything I haven't read.

But now I just noticed the "All Unread Topics (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;all;start=0)" link on the bottom of the "Recent Unread Topics" page that links to "All Unread Topics" that has a ton of threads with new posts that I didn't know about.

Weird.

Does anyone know what difference between "Recent Unread Topics" and "All Unread Topics" is? I'm on here all the damn time, so I would assume everything is "recent" but apparently not.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on May 16, 2012, 06:34:16 pm
There are a lot of old threads that you may not have read, and thus aren't recent.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: popsofctown on May 16, 2012, 08:29:46 pm
As the guy modding the first mafia game..

1. I agree with the sentiment that Mafia shouldn't be in the default RSS feed.  I like logging off of isotropic, seeing something in the RSS feed about a card I just played with, and clicking a link.  Mafia removes that joy, and it doesn't really help anyone, the mafia threads will always be super active, you don't need an RSS to know that.

2. I haven't read this whole thread, but Ozle crossed the line a bit by saying "I'm not cracking jokes in my mafia game because I don't want to look suspicious".  If he made a comment strictly about site administration that'd be fine, but I deem that as game related.  It violates the principle of providing everyone equal access to game related information by keeping it in the proper thread.  I'm probably going to post a link to this thread in mafia I to "annex" it.

3. If the spectators want to discuss, I can just make them a quicktopic.  A quicktopic is an offsite forum thread that anyone can use, but only if they have the link.  I'll share the link with anyone who pms a request for it.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: O on May 16, 2012, 08:38:11 pm
Just make a quicktopic forum Pops, and give everyone the link. Everyone on F.DS can view and nobody in a current mafia game, alive or dead, can post.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 16, 2012, 10:55:05 pm
You can now ignore certain boards. (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=profile;area=ignoreboards) 

This page lets you ignore particular boards. When a board is ignored, the new post indicator will not show up on the board index. New posts will not show up using the "unread post" search link (when searching it will not look in those boards) however, ignored boards will still appear on the board index and upon entering will show which topics have new posts. When using the "unread replies" link, new posts in an ignored board will still be shown.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Dsell on May 16, 2012, 11:17:41 pm
So this discussion has made me realize I've been missing like, a ton of posts on f.ds.

...

But now I just noticed the "All Unread Topics (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;all;start=0)" link on the bottom of the "Recent Unread Topics" page that links to "All Unread Topics" that has a ton of threads with new posts that I didn't know about.

I did this and I have 82 pages of unread topics. O.o
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: lympi on May 17, 2012, 12:06:31 am
So this discussion has made me realize I've been missing like, a ton of posts on f.ds.

...

But now I just noticed the "All Unread Topics (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;all;start=0)" link on the bottom of the "Recent Unread Topics" page that links to "All Unread Topics" that has a ton of threads with new posts that I didn't know about.

I did this and I have 82 pages of unread topics. O.o

Wow. I have 6, and even I'm overwhelmed.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Thisisnotasmile on May 17, 2012, 03:59:02 am
3. If the spectators want to discuss, I can just make them a quicktopic.  A quicktopic is an offsite forum thread that anyone can use, but only if they have the link.  I'll share the link with anyone who pms a request for it.

-1

Terrible, terrible idea and I'm seriously considering not joining another mafia game on f.ds because of this. Please never ever send me the link.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: bozzball on May 17, 2012, 04:27:46 am
Why?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Thisisnotasmile on May 17, 2012, 04:37:35 am
If you wanted to partake, you should have signed up.

However, if my previous comment about large mafia games that everyone who wants to can join happens in future there would be no "need" for outside discussion anyway. I'd be happy with that.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 17, 2012, 04:43:50 am
I think the 'quicktopic' thread so people can discuss it is a horrible horrible idea. It not only has the chance to influence the current game, but also any future games!

"If you wanted to partake, you should have signed up."
This comments a bit harsh considering there were limited sign up places! Next time definately a bigger group is an idea/
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: DStu on May 17, 2012, 05:04:35 am
Maybe you should just use a quicktopic to play mafia?

Edit: ... but as you started public, I at least want to know who get lynched on day one.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: ftl on May 17, 2012, 05:58:19 am
 
Quote
However, if my previous comment about large mafia games that everyone who wants to can join happens in future there would be no "need" for outside discussion anyway. I'd be happy with that.

As well as the current limited number of spaces, Mafia also has a requirement to actually participate on a consistent basis, and to stop discussing it with everyone when you die. Makes perfect sense to me why someone would want to backseat game without actually joining.

I suppose it depends on whether the people in that can keep from commenting about it outside that thread, anywhere where we can see it. I don't see the harm, if they can...

Quote
Maybe you should just use a quicktopic to play mafia?


Seems like a good idea, if there are more games after these.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Kuildeous on May 18, 2012, 03:26:04 pm
I vote 100% no to any kind of outside commentary on any mafia game while it is still going. If you wanted to partake, you should have signed up.

I agree that's a little harsh, but it's not just because of people who missed out on being in one of the coveted 18 spots available.

Those who die early also cannot participate. Both games now have a lynching. Those people cannot participate in those games anymore.

I guess the quick topic forum doesn't bother me. I've been tempted to read up on the first game. I ignored it for a while, but when I got into the second game, I found it interesting to read the first game. The contrast between the two games is rather interesting too.

If I get knocked out of my current game, I would definitely be interested in joining the conversation. I've had to refrain from making a comment on the first game. Hell, it's currently "nighttime" in the second game, and it bugs me that I can't post anything in that forum right now.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Galzria on May 18, 2012, 03:35:20 pm
I vote 100% no to any kind of outside commentary on any mafia game while it is still going. If you wanted to partake, you should have signed up.

I agree that's a little harsh, but it's not just because of people who missed out on being in one of the coveted 18 spots available.

Those who die early also cannot participate. Both games now have a lynching. Those people cannot participate in those games anymore.

I guess the quick topic forum doesn't bother me. I've been tempted to read up on the first game. I ignored it for a while, but when I got into the second game, I found it interesting to read the first game. The contrast between the two games is rather interesting too.

If I get knocked out of my current game, I would definitely be interested in joining the conversation. I've had to refrain from making a comment on the first game. Hell, it's currently "nighttime" in the second game, and it bugs me that I can't post anything in that forum right now.


Tell me about it.  ;) But in respect for the rules, I'll say no more here! First rule of Fight Club and all that....
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: WanderingWinder on May 18, 2012, 03:36:15 pm
I just wanted to say that I'm more than a bit fed up with people belly-aching about commenting on the mafia games. I'm thoroughly annoyed about your private games trying to dictate the behaviour on this public forum. If that's really important to you, then you should have played on a public forum.
Let alone trying to stop people from talking on a random other part of the internet...

(Note, I'm not talking about stopping other people from commenting on the game in the actual thread. I see why you think that's necessary)
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: greatexpectations on May 18, 2012, 03:39:03 pm
I just wanted to say that I'm more than a bit fed up with people belly-aching about commenting on the mafia games. I'm thoroughly annoyed about your private games trying to dictate the behaviour on this public forum. If that's really important to you, then you should have played on a public forum.
Let alone trying to stop people from talking on a random other part of the internet...

(Note, I'm not talking about stopping other people from commenting on the game in the actual thread. I see why you think that's necessary)

i'm with WW.  you guys have no control over what we choose to discuss in these forums.  if you choose to play your games in a public forum we can feel free to go ahead and discuss those games. 

there are forums available elsewhere where you can play mafia to whatever stringent set of rules you desire.  but please refrain from attempting to dictate our actions on this forum.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 18, 2012, 03:47:37 pm
I also agree.  I understand that no one else should post in the Mafia topic, and Mafia players should not post outside about Mafia.  But the idea of "banning" outside Mafia communication is stupid.  The quicktopic is a concession enough, one that I'm not sure we really need.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Captain_Frisk on May 18, 2012, 03:54:55 pm
So I'm a little sad that I started this thread... because now that the lynching's have occurred, those threads are really good reads, and I am finding it fun to not only learn Mafia (never played before), but also watch theory (a lawyer by profession) get lynched on Day 1.

My only issue was it messing up the RSS feeds - like the top 5 recent postings on the main site - all being Mafia related.  If the next games end up being in another forum, please post links to them here so that we can come and watch.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: O on May 18, 2012, 03:56:40 pm
I don't really understand it... I think it would be loads more fun if anything for me to read outsider's comments. I can build up grudges on anyone who suspected me  ;D My only restriction is that I really think dead Mafia players need to stay out of the thread (sorry theory!) for fear of information being released.

I think people need to realize that we're not playing on Mafiascum, and as we're intruding on a dominion board with Mafia, the least we can do in return is some community involvement.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Galzria on May 18, 2012, 03:59:14 pm
Quote
Theory: The quicktopic is a concession enough, one that I'm not sure we really need.

I don't either. I think it was an attempt at a compromise. I wouldn't react harshly to Pops for setting it up though. Some people (involved and not) said "Hey, should there be a single contained thread on *Mafia Thoughts/Conversations* that anyone can post in. Some thought it was a good idea, some thought it was a horrible idea. The quicktopic off-site appeased both. It was then mentioned that perhaps the games themselves should be held via Quicktopic, and generally was met with "Good Idea, next game".

The simple fact is, as WW points out, it's silly and stupid to try and ban people from talking about it. If you don't want to read, don't go into the topic. Just like they avoid the games if they aren't interested. I would *hope* that those involved in the games choose not to look at arguments made by outside people, but hey, if they do, that's their choice. Not like anybody but the actual players know their roles anyway.

Anyway, long story short - I understand WW's frustration, although his post seems rather hostile. /shrug - Maybe it's just really getting to him. My 2 coppers? Hell, feel free to comment away. Just do me a favor and keep it to a single thread (this one or another) so it doesn't clutter up the boards. Or don't - won't kill me to sift out topic names I don't wanna read.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Thisisnotasmile on May 18, 2012, 04:00:23 pm
I'm more than happy for non-players to comment on games, just not until after the games have finished. There's no reason why a game thread can't be opened up to everybody and anybody to comment on post-game.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: O on May 18, 2012, 04:02:44 pm
I'm more than happy for non-players to comment on games, just not until after the games have finished. There's no reason why a game thread can't be opened up to everybody and anybody to comment on post-game.

I still don't understand why it can't be mid-game...

I really haven't seen a good argument.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Galzria on May 18, 2012, 04:03:42 pm
I'm more than happy for non-players to comment on games, just not until after the games have finished. There's no reason why a game thread can't be opened up to everybody and anybody to comment on post-game.

Because this isn't a Mafia gaming site, and doesn't/shouldn't be restricted by rules you'd expect there. If they want to talk about games in progress, they have every right to. We are forcing our topics to the top of the RSS feeds. We've filled up over 20 pages worth of stuff that they have to choose to read or not. If they want to talk about games, it's as much on you not to read - or read, your choice - if you choose.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: paddyodoors on May 18, 2012, 04:04:04 pm
...
My 2 coppers?
...

+1 for this.  Seriously, you got a chuckle out of me just for this.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 18, 2012, 04:10:23 pm
By the way, no one has linked me to the quicktopic yet :(

Also, the quicktopic idea only works once.  What, are we going to start a new forums for every game?

It'd be nice if you could ban certain membergroups from certain forums.  Then I can make a Mafia I forum and ban Mafia I players from the Mafia I discussion subforum.  But I think the forum's permissions only work the other way around.  I shall investigate further.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on May 18, 2012, 04:19:56 pm
We definitely should NOT ban people from talking about the game just because they aren't in it.  I think a quicktopic might be best, maybe a quicktopic for each mafia game.  I'd prefer just a regular thread on this forum, I know I'd never check it until I'm out of the game, but from others' complaints I'm not sure if they can stop themselves from looking.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: O on May 18, 2012, 04:22:12 pm
...I'm still confused.

If no information is revealed on a forum topic (read: ban dead players from posting) what's the massive problem with having the players read a thread?

I think it's a bad idea for the thread to contain information that the mafia players don't know even if the mafia players don't check the thread.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 18, 2012, 04:23:40 pm
I think I've found a way to address everyone's complaints.  The forum will be a bit wonky for the next half hour or so while I set this up.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Galzria on May 18, 2012, 04:35:14 pm
I think I've found a way to address everyone's complaints.  The forum will be a bit wonky for the next half hour or so while I set this up.

Serious +1 respect points if you can get those two boards set up. More if I could.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Captain_Frisk on May 18, 2012, 04:35:35 pm
...I'm still confused.

If no information is revealed on a forum topic (read: ban dead players from posting) what's the massive problem with having the players read a thread?

I think it's a bad idea for the thread to contain information that the mafia players don't know even if the mafia players don't check the thread.

Perhaps the dead players just agree not to post any secret information?  Theory - as vanilla "ice" townie - doesn't have anything he could possibly share - or am I missing something?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Galzria on May 18, 2012, 04:39:44 pm
...I'm still confused.

If no information is revealed on a forum topic (read: ban dead players from posting) what's the massive problem with having the players read a thread?

I think it's a bad idea for the thread to contain information that the mafia players don't know even if the mafia players don't check the thread.

Perhaps the dead players just agree not to post any secret information?  Theory - as vanilla "ice" townie - doesn't have anything he could possibly share - or am I missing something?

Nope, pretty much dead on. (Sorry theory, bad pun).
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: greatexpectations on May 18, 2012, 04:44:38 pm
i appreciate theory's work in trying to keep everybody happy.  but at the same time not a single person has listed a legitimate reason why outsiders can't discuss any current games. there really isn't any need for dedicated forums that i see.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on May 18, 2012, 04:49:08 pm
Only because there'd be more scrutiny to what the mafia posts, it'd be like a two person mafia team vs. the whole forum on town.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: greatexpectations on May 18, 2012, 04:53:23 pm
Only because there'd be more scrutiny to what the mafia posts, it'd be like a two person mafia team vs. the whole forum on town.

more scrutiny is not inherently a bad thing, and scrutiny would be directed at all players.  outsiders wouldn't know who the mafia is any better than the players.  and arguably less, as we are not playing and will not keep up with every detail as closely.

and there can still be a handshake agreement between players to not visit the thread if this is somehow game changing information. but there is no evidence that it is.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Deadlock39 on May 18, 2012, 04:53:33 pm
I don't really know anything, but I think the idea is that the players are supposed to be playing their own game, and not drawing any outside influence for their actions.  It's a bit a hypothetical I suppose, but pretend there is some "Master of Mafia" with extensive experience playing, several degrees in psychology, and a dash of omnipotence.  This imaginary person knows the identity of the players in the game and discusses his knowledge and reasoning in a public thread outside the game.  If one of the players read that thread, it would ruin the game.  Now, this example is certainly a stretch, but I can absolutely understand not wanting the people inside the game to be influenced by the analysis of others who are not playing.

That and what Axxle said.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Kuildeous on May 18, 2012, 04:55:02 pm
Only because there'd be more scrutiny to what the mafia posts, it'd be like a two person mafia team vs. the whole forum on town.

I agree with this, which is why Mafia players should not read the forum. It's all honor-based (it's already on the honor system that players don't PM each other).

But, yeah, if current players read an outside forum, then they may get some insight they never would have gotten before. It would not be right for the townies of the 1st game to read my thoughts on what's going on. It's especially not right, since I'd probably have bad advice, and they'd be worse off for following it. But it applies to people with better thought processes than me.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on May 18, 2012, 05:02:12 pm
Only because there'd be more scrutiny to what the mafia posts, it'd be like a two person mafia team vs. the whole forum on town.

more scrutiny is not inherently a bad thing, and scrutiny would be directed at all players.  outsiders wouldn't know who the mafia is any better than the players.  and arguably less, as we are not playing and will not keep up with every detail as closely.

and there can still be a handshake agreement between players to not visit the thread if this is somehow game changing information. but there is no evidence that it is.
Outsiders know EXACTLY as much as a Vanilla townie does, the only thing they can't do is ask questions.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 18, 2012, 05:03:06 pm
Sadly, setting up those forums is a lot harder than anticipated.  I've hidden it for now and will return to the issue later.

(The primary problem, in case you're interested, is http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=419803.0 )

For RSS purposes, however, I can simply disable guest access to the Mafia forum, in which case the RSS feed won't include those posts.  Is that a good idea?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: eHalcyon on May 18, 2012, 05:04:18 pm
Outsiders know EXACTLY as much as a Vanilla townie does, the only thing they can't do is ask questions.

False.  Vanilla townie Bob knows that he is not Mafia.  Outsiders do not know this.   ;D
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: greatexpectations on May 18, 2012, 05:12:08 pm
Outsiders know EXACTLY as much as a Vanilla townie does, the only thing they can't do is ask questions.

i'm honestly not sure if you are arguing with me or agreeing with me.  eHalcyon made my point though - outsiders know strictly less than any player in the game, townie included.  a townie at least knows their role.  as an outsider, i know nothing at all.

and as i said, very few outside of the game have any real reason to follow the game as closely as the players in-game.  we have no risk of dying in any game and are less likely to be interested in the minutiae.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 18, 2012, 05:40:42 pm
And what if a outsider picks up on something xtremely relevant that the townies missed and posts it in that thread?

Plus of course there is the whole trial by media aspect, if a lot of people get behind one person as a suspect they could sway a townie
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 18, 2012, 05:41:59 pm
Outsiders know EXACTLY as much as a Vanilla townie does, the only thing they can't do is ask questions.

i'm honestly not sure if you are arguing with me or agreeing with me.  eHalcyon made my point though - outsiders know strictly less than any player in the game, townie included.  a townie at least knows their role.  as an outsider, i know nothing at all.

and as i said, very few outside of the game have any real reason to follow the game as closely as the players in-game.  we have no risk of dying in any game and are less likely to be interested in the minutiae.

Normal people yes, but have you seen the people who post here...we are all obsessed with minutae, take a look at all the simulation threads for example!
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 18, 2012, 06:37:02 pm
What if we used Spoiler tags

For example, here is my reaction to the Mafia II: awwwwww snap!
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 18, 2012, 06:40:39 pm
What if we used Spoiler tags?

Might as well use Strike through!
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 18, 2012, 06:41:32 pm
The point is that for Mafia players, it's much easier to avoid/resist spoiler-tagged discussion than if it was just out in the open.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on May 18, 2012, 06:45:00 pm
Ipx bcpvu b tijgufe bmqibcfu?

(How about a shifted alphabet?)
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 18, 2012, 06:47:04 pm
The point is that for Mafia players, it's much easier to avoid/resist spoiler-tagged discussion than if it was just out in the open.

My concern is more that they can influence lynching than mafia finding extra info, as per my earlier post
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on May 18, 2012, 06:48:39 pm
The point is that for Mafia players, it's much easier to avoid/resist spoiler-tagged discussion than if it was just out in the open.

My concern is more that they can influence lynching than mafia finding extra info, as per my earlier post
By "Mafia players" he means people who are playing the game of mafia, not players who aren't Townies.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 18, 2012, 06:54:30 pm
Oh i see, thought it was strange.

I still think a lot of people would be too tempted
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 18, 2012, 06:57:57 pm
I'm sure there would be a few plyers that would get tempted.  But it eliminates the "everyone is the town" problem that just having a public topic would cause.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: popsofctown on May 19, 2012, 01:04:14 am
Whoa, so much discussion and conflict and whoa.

Theory was invited to the dead QT because he is VT.  A power role won't get access to the dead QT so that the dead QT's maximum cheating opportunity is "extra vanilla townie discussion".  Which is really not worth the shame and dishonor, and my subsequent order of seppuki.

In response to WW's angry post, I would say that I think the QT isn't very inconvenient for him and I can't understand why someone would care enough about a mafia game to read it, but not care enough to send a pm and make a couple clicks to discuss it without damaging it.  Maybe Davio was kidding when he said he would be unable to resist a public spectator thread but I took him seriously.

Playing mafia in QTs in the future is a good idea.  The only drawback to a QT that I can think of is there is no avatars, and avatars help people remember who goes with what.  Speaking of which, I need to recommend Avatars to O and Ozle..
It's a bit a hypothetical I suppose, but pretend there is some "Master of Mafia" with extensive experience playing, several degrees in psychology, and a dash of omnipotence. 
I'm real, man.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Kirian on May 19, 2012, 04:11:07 am
You can now ignore certain boards. (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=profile;area=ignoreboards) 

This page lets you ignore particular boards. When a board is ignored, the new post indicator will not show up on the board index. New posts will not show up using the "unread post" search link (when searching it will not look in those boards) however, ignored boards will still appear on the board index and upon entering will show which topics have new posts. When using the "unread replies" link, new posts in an ignored board will still be shown.

That would be great if I had no interest in the "Other Board Games" forum.  But I do.  And the Mafia posts are what are showing up as "unread."

Is there a chance we could create a "Forum Play" subforum and those of us fully uninterested in such games can ignore that instead?

Obviously, I have no dog in the fight either way on outside discussion.  I'm just tired of seeing this thread and the Mafia threads at the top of my unread posts list, but ignoring the whole Other Game forum would be worse.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 19, 2012, 04:46:50 am
Im not really too sure why 3/4 threads showing up in the unread posts list is such a terrible inconvience really
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: qmech on May 19, 2012, 06:31:32 am
Im not really too sure why 3/4 threads showing up in the unread posts list is such a terrible inconvience really

I think the particular issue was that this feed (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=recent), or those based on it, got flooded with individual Mafia posts, rather than easily-avoided threads.

e: typo
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 19, 2012, 07:30:34 am
Ahh, never use that, I always use the 'recent unread threads' at the top. Far easier to be selective
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: WanderingWinder on May 19, 2012, 08:40:35 am

In response to WW's angry post, I would say that I think the QT isn't very inconvenient for him and I can't understand why someone would care enough about a mafia game to read it, but not care enough to send a pm and make a couple clicks to discuss it without damaging it.  Maybe Davio was kidding when he said he would be unable to resist a public spectator thread but I took him seriously.

You have no idea what's convenient or not for me. Mostly it's the principle of the thing. In fact, I have no issues with what you're doing; I have issues with people *demanding* that, and even more issues with people saying that even that is too far. Indeed, I don't really have a lot to say, or indeed a lot of interest in the mafia games at all - I'd like to make a couple rhetorical points, not really game-related mostly, and... that's about it. But in fact, having to go to another site *is* quite inconvenient.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 21, 2012, 12:19:18 pm
I've moved the forum games to a forum that guests cannot view.  This should remove all Mafia posts from the RSS feeds.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: ftl on May 21, 2012, 02:39:18 pm
Dang, Theory, you're awesome.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 21, 2012, 02:48:34 pm
Not sure if you are aware Theory, but since you made this change i dont think O can post anymore in the threads
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 21, 2012, 02:51:01 pm
Not sure if serious bug report

Or sophisticated meta-commentary on Mafia I

As far as I can tell there's nothing special about O: his permissions are the same as every other regular user on the forum.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: popsofctown on May 21, 2012, 02:51:19 pm
single character name issues?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Thisisnotasmile on May 21, 2012, 02:52:48 pm
Serious bug report. He sent a PM around everyone still alive in mafia I to say he couldn't post and he thinks it's something to do with the computer he's on, but it happened just about the same time as the split.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 21, 2012, 02:54:15 pm
I assume if he is unable to post anywhere else on the forum to report the bug, then it is his computer rather than that subforum.  There is nothing that suggests his permissions are any different than anyone else's.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: O on May 21, 2012, 03:37:03 pm
It was my computer that I was on; sorry for the misinterpretations. I was on a public server (not my home server) that had some bizarre criteria for blocking sites.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: paddyodoors on May 22, 2012, 09:42:08 am
I don't contribute all that much around here -- mostly just snarky comments, +1s, and the occasional Dominionified meme.  I'm not a top-tier player... nor even a second-tier player.  I don't have deep things to contribute to the strategy discussions.

85% of my interaction with the forums is lurking.

Since the Mafia games began, I have noticed a decrease in Dominion-related discussion.  (Yes, I understand this is only anecdotal evidence based on my subjective perception.)

I like Mafia, it's a fun game.  But I doubt I'm going to win any popularity points when I say that: it seems the Mafia games are detracting from what draws me to the forums in the first place.  People who are playing in them are spending their time and energy on Mafia and not on Dominion.  Of course, they are free to do so -- no one is questioning that.  It just means that leeches like me who are consumers and not really producers get less material to consume.  (Which may not objectively be a bad thing, except for the leech.)

I'm sure there is room for everybody here... well, most people anyways.  I, for one, am not really into fan cards and variants.  Nor am I into simulation challenges.  Puzzles are kind of cool.  I have a tough time digging through game logs, so game reports are pleasant IFF there is some text written out about what happened in the game (instead of just posting a log with little/no context).  Articles are awesome -- they are what drew me here in the first place (from the blog).  Some of the "other board games" and "other games" discussions draw my attention, but generally only if it is something that I already like and want to share it with the forum.

However, with the Mafia games ongoing, it kinda feels like when you're at a party and a big group of people leave to go hang out in the other room and close the door.  I mean, since it is a public forum, (to carry the analogy forward:) I am able to look through a window to this other room with this big group in it, all having fun and playing Mafia... but I didn't come to this party to play Mafia, and I certainly didn't come to this party to watch others play it.  Granted, those of us who aren't putting most of our time/effort on f.ds Mafia are able to continue hanging out and speaking about Dominion (and other things as well), but there are fewer of us, which means less volume (but not necessarily less quality interaction).

To verify or disprove my feelings on this topic, I scanned through the recent posts of some of f.ds's more noted contributors who are also in Mafia games.  I found many who have posted scarcely anything outside of them (or this thread, which directly relates to them).  In fact, I found one who, in his last 75 posts, has posted 4 messages in 3 non-Mafia-related threads.  Not calling anyone out, because it doesn't really matter in the individual case -- everyone is free to participate in this forum as they please.

I guess my only grumble is that the Dominion discussion feels a little less animated these days.

And in the end, I'm mostly just a lurker, so no one's conscience ought to be pricked by my ramblings.  And there will probably be responses saying "you've got it all wrong, paddy" or "you're missing the point, paddy" or "if you don't like it, don't participate in it -- no one is forcing you to pay attention to Mafia stuff, paddy" or "you're a horrible person, paddy" (okay, probably not that last one).  And that's fine, because we're all here to express ourselves via text (sometimes images) and each of us are free to do so as we please.  I'm probably just an overly pedantic codger who doesn't deal well with change.

True as that might be, from my perspective, it still kinda stinks that there seems to be less Dominion partying going on.  I love Dominion partying.  +1 to whomever reads my wall of text, even if it causes you to have a spittle-flecked tantrum.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: DStu on May 22, 2012, 09:49:09 am
Since the Mafia games began, I have noticed a decrease in Dominion-related discussion.  (Yes, I understand this is only anecdotal evidence based on my subjective perception.)
You started Mafia on May 11th, Diablo3 started May 15th, I would say you have very noisy data...
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: paddyodoors on May 22, 2012, 09:56:51 am
Since the Mafia games began, I have noticed a decrease in Dominion-related discussion.  (Yes, I understand this is only anecdotal evidence based on my subjective perception.)
You started Mafia on May 11th, Diablo3 started May 15th, I would say you have very noisy data...

I didn't start Mafia, but yes, I have noisy data (hence the reference to anecdotal evidence only, subjectivity).  Good point.  Hopefully, I'm totally wrong and way out in left field.  I mean this sincerely.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 22, 2012, 10:41:24 am
Yeah my d3 time is waaaay more than my mafia time.

And also I think you have the closing of two very popular topics that were drawing a lot of debate recently (civility ones)

Plus, in England at least, the Sun is actually shining.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: WanderingWinder on May 22, 2012, 10:55:26 am
Yeah my d3 time is waaaay more than my mafia time.

And also I think you have the closing of two very popular topics that were drawing a lot of debate recently (civility ones)

Plus, in England at least, the Sun is actually shining.
Eh, those things were very long-standing, but didn't draw a lot of comments all the time. Unless they erupted into a particular intense heated discussion/flame war.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 22, 2012, 11:19:16 am
They were fairly regular though usually a few comments per day, so to a user who only checks once or twice a day would usually have them come up in the unread list
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: paddyodoors on May 22, 2012, 11:43:21 am
They were fairly regular though usually a few comments per day, so to a user who only checks once or twice a day would usually have them come up in the unread list

No worries, I check more than once or twice per day.  The closing of those threads individually cannot account for my observations.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Thisisnotasmile on May 22, 2012, 11:48:21 am
The volume of my contributions to this forum started to drop off a long time before the mafia games started. Yes, it's picked up since then and yes, it's been mostly in non-Dominion related topics, but Dominion really isn't interesting me as much as it used to at the moment. I know there are new expansions on the horizon which is why I'm hanging around and will pick my Dominion contributions back up when the time comes, but for now we've already discussed pretty much every interesting card interaction under the sun, every available piece of information about Isotropic and it's replacement, and every comment a person could make while playing the game and whether or not that makes a person undesirable to play against. Hell, I've even heard rumours that we've discussed every possible card idea possible in the collection of possibilities for Dominion cards that could ever be possible.

What does that leave?

I still take part in puzzles that interest me and I listen out for any exciting news about expansions and/or Isotropic's replacement. I'm not that interested in simulation or reading game logs so I don't do that. Other than that I'm just waiting until the time comes that there is some new stuff, that I find interesting to talk about.

I've not abandoned the forum for mafia. I just have nothing Dominion-related to talk about at the moment.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: popsofctown on May 22, 2012, 01:05:19 pm
I think I'm more likely to contribute because of mafia.  I come here to mod my game, then think about dominion, then play a couple iso games, which leads to me posting on the forums.  The last few things I've wanted to post I didn't actually post because I don't feel confident I'm a good player or right about things.

And to be clear, people are PLAYING d3 like crazy, so that sucks energy.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: WanderingWinder on May 22, 2012, 01:33:00 pm
The last few things I've wanted to post I didn't actually post because I don't feel confident I'm a good player or right about things.

Post them anyway! People may disagree with you, and that just gets discussions started, which is what we want. If you're unsure, just say so in your post - people will go nice. Actually, I think people go much more into "let's all learn mode" when the person making a claim does it in this manner, and more in the "no, you're wrong" mode when they say it like it's the gospel truth.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Ozle on May 22, 2012, 01:40:44 pm
"last few things I've wanted to post I didn't actually post because I don't feel confident I'm a good player or right about things."

thats never stopped me!

As long as your not afraid to be educated why its wrong, go for it!
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: def on May 22, 2012, 04:35:49 pm
Plus, in England at least, the Sun is actually shining.

Funny you English people even have words like "sun" and "shining" when you only need them few times a year.

For the record, as said with Diablo or good weather, there are many more reasons why it might be the way it appears to you, paddyodoors. I for example am only reading here lately except for posting silly remarks like the above because I didn't play recently and stopped my puzzle because there are others and I have no outstandingly good ideas (the participation was pretty good though). Additionally, we are in a time where strategic insights might be scarce because it's been a long time since the last expansion appeared, so there is nothing new to discuss.

But all this addresses your personal feelings, which are contradicted by the post count (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=stats) which states that even without Mafia posts counted, we already have more posts in May so far than in March and around as much as in February. So...?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: paddyodoors on May 22, 2012, 05:06:41 pm
Plus, in England at least, the Sun is actually shining.

Funny you English people even have words like "sun" and "shining" when you only need them few times a year.

For the record, as said with Diablo or good weather, there are many more reasons why it might be the way it appears to you, paddyodoors. I for example am only reading here lately except for posting silly remarks like the above because I didn't play recently and stopped my puzzle because there are others and I have no outstandingly good ideas (the participation was pretty good though). Additionally, we are in a time where strategic insights might be scarce because it's been a long time since the last expansion appeared, so there is nothing new to discuss.

But all this addresses your personal feelings, which are contradicted by the post count (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=stats) which states that even without Mafia posts counted, we already have more posts in May so far than in March and around as much as in February. So...?

Yes, but pages and pages and pages and pages and pages and pages of those May posts are from Mafia (and threads talking about Mafia).  So, the increased post count doesn't really contradict anything (with all due respect to you and your point).

pages and pages
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 22, 2012, 05:08:43 pm
I think his point was that even subtracting the ~900 Mafia posts in the "Forum Games" forum, it is still an above-average month.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: paddyodoors on May 22, 2012, 05:13:01 pm
I think his point was that even subtracting the ~900 Mafia posts in the "Forum Games" forum, it is still an above-average month.

In that case, point taken.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: greatexpectations on May 22, 2012, 05:57:55 pm
personally, i think there is plenty of dominion discussion going on around here.  but i am also going to go ahead and question the numbers being used as a justification for this opinion.

as of this post, there have been 1017 posts related to mafia, counting this thread and the two game threads.
as of this post, there have been 4511 posts in the month of may.

that makes mafia posts 22.5% of all forum posting in may.  naturally though, this figure is misleading.  mafia game threads have only been around since may 11.  over the span since that thread began, there have been 2536 posts.  mafia makes up 40.1% of all posts.

yeah there have been more posts in may (w/o mafia) than in previous months, but what does that even mean.  forum membership continues to grow pretty quickly.  and we have had scores of posts dedicated to closing out a pretty significant forum-led tournament.  total posts doesn't mean a whole lot.

but hey, WW voiced a similar opinion (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?topic=1237.0) back when the Homage To The Best Card (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?topic=1204.0) thread was hugely popular. fads will come and go.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: WanderingWinder on May 22, 2012, 06:14:59 pm
personally, i think there is plenty of dominion discussion going on around here.  but i am also going to go ahead and question the numbers being used as a justification for this opinion.

as of this post, there have been 1017 posts related to mafia, counting this thread and the two game threads.
as of this post, there have been 4511 posts in the month of may.

that makes mafia posts 22.5% of all forum posting in may.  naturally though, this figure is misleading.  mafia game threads have only been around since may 11.  over the span since that thread began, there have been 2536 posts.  mafia makes up 40.1% of all posts.

yeah there have been more posts in may (w/o mafia) than in previous months, but what does that even mean.  forum membership continues to grow pretty quickly.  and we have had scores of posts dedicated to closing out a pretty significant forum-led tournament.  total posts doesn't mean a whole lot.

but hey, WW voiced a similar opinion (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?topic=1237.0) back when the Homage To The Best Card (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?topic=1204.0) thread was hugely popular. fads will come and go.
Man, that post always gets read as me complaining. It was not. I was just pointing out that upvotes were getting flooded by humour over everything else - not that there's anything wrong with that per se. But I figured people would like looking at most upvoted comments to try to glean information, learn, important stuff. Largely I'm thinking of people who are new to the forum. OTOH, I've even cooled from that a lot since then.
You're also missing a Mafia thread in the 'other board games' forum.
Finally... eh? I mean, I wish there was more other content too, but... go post some more dominion-related content then. I mean, people ARE posting less of it, but I expect there'd be natural ebbs and flows. It doesn't seem THAT much out of line. Probably perception bias because so many of the comments these days are indeed mafia. But I mean, it's been a long time between set releases, and I think that that's what really drives comments more than anything - people want to talk about new cards.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: greatexpectations on May 22, 2012, 06:20:27 pm
oh yeah man, not trying to pick on you there.  i was just trying to point out that similar complaints have been raised before and it hasn't slowed us down any.

mostly i was just frustrated by the use of total comments in the month to justify the quantity of dominion discussion.

and a new expansion would definitely jump start more discussion.  but the official version, when it arrives, will likely spark just as much discussion.  though of course it could also hinder discussion if we can't scrape and analyze logs from those games.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: WanderingWinder on May 22, 2012, 07:02:08 pm
oh yeah man, not trying to pick on you there.  i was just trying to point out that similar complaints have been raised before and it hasn't slowed us down any.

My point is that I hadn't made a similar complaint.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: O on May 22, 2012, 08:48:05 pm
Personally, the forum having a minor flood of Mafia threads sounds a lot more pleasant than a minor flood of cancer such as the Decline of Civility, people to avoid threads.

I personally don't care about Diablo 3, Twilight Struggle, and other games discussed here. So I ignore those threads, problem solved.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: paddyodoors on May 22, 2012, 08:53:52 pm
Personally, the forum having a minor flood of Mafia threads sounds a lot more pleasant than a minor flood of cancer such as the Decline of Civility, people to avoid threads.

I personally don't care about Diablo 3, Twilight Struggle, and other games discussed here. So I ignore those threads, problem solved.

Ignoring it!  Why didn't I think of that?!?  I must be having an off day.  You're right, sir, that does solve the problem.  +1 for problem solving.

Actually, I might be having an off day.  Please disregard anything that sounds remotely curmudgeony.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: WanderingWinder on May 23, 2012, 04:02:04 pm
Is it possible to flag certain posts in a way that I can come back and look at them later, quickly. There's actually a few analysis points now that I'd like to spew out (not necessarily recent ones!), but am holding off on doing until the games end
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on May 23, 2012, 04:19:36 pm
C:\Windows\system32\Notepad

Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V

:)

(Although that would be an interesting feature)
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 23, 2012, 08:39:06 pm
Side question: should posts in "Forum Games" count towards your overall posts?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: popsofctown on May 23, 2012, 08:54:09 pm
IMO, forum games and general discussion both shouldn't count towards your postcount.  Other board games is ok because there is lots of comparison to Dominion.


@WanderingWinder - On most forums you can view an individual post, or a forum thread starting with a particular post, and then the URL is tied to that particular post and you can copy paste the URL for later reference.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: WanderingWinder on May 23, 2012, 08:55:01 pm
Side question: should posts in "Forum Games" count towards your overall posts?
You have that power?
Also, yes.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: O on May 23, 2012, 08:55:04 pm
...Why does post count even remotely matter?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: WanderingWinder on May 23, 2012, 08:56:00 pm
...Why does post count even remotely matter?
...if you don't care about it, why are you posting the question?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: O on May 23, 2012, 08:57:23 pm
...Why does post count even remotely matter?
...if you don't care about it, why are you posting the question?

Because I'm insecure myself and enjoy pointing out other peoples insecurities, especially if I don't share them.  ;D
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: popsofctown on May 23, 2012, 08:58:12 pm
I editted my post, but now new stuff is posted so it's clogged.

Anyway, WW, can you ctrl-c hyperlinks like this -

http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?topic=2576.msg42484#msg42484

- into a small file for later reference?  Best I can help.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on May 23, 2012, 09:00:54 pm
You can also send a PM to yourself and be able to easily click the link.

edit: I don't really care about post count, so I don't care either way.  I enjoyed being an Explorer while it lasted though  :'(
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Morgrim7 on May 23, 2012, 10:29:52 pm
Wow. Lots of discussion here.
The last few things I've wanted to post I didn't actually post because I don't feel confident I'm a good player or right about things.

Post them anyway! People may disagree with you, and that just gets discussions started, which is what we want. If you're unsure, just say so in your post - people will go nice. Actually, I think people go much more into "let's all learn mode" when the person making a claim does it in this manner, and more in the "no, you're wrong" mode when they say it like it's the gospel truth.
Do we have a +5,000,000 button? I couldn't agree more. At first, when I was a lurker on this Forum, the reason why I did not post is because I was afraid I would say something stupid. I would look at the big-time posters, and think, "Oh, wow, these guys probably have much more skill in Dominion than I do..." Soon enough I ventured out and made a post. And another one. And another one. And now, if I say something stupid (not all that rare :) )I accept the critique, and move on.
...Why does post count even remotely matter?
Because your # of posts is cinda like a trophy. Something to show off.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: def on May 24, 2012, 04:15:30 am
...Why does post count even remotely matter?

Because of the shiny Titles! (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?topic=2489.0)
But Tacticians like you don't care, huh, thinking you are something better. Wait til you are a Witch though.

One thing I noticed which may be relevant for Mafia games: When I edit posts right after I posted them, the "post edited by" doesn't appear. Is this due to the time since the post or because noone else posted yet?  Even more, you can remove posts as long as it's the most recent post. Can this cause problems with the no edit rule, letting you remove accidental blunders?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Deadlock39 on May 24, 2012, 05:07:24 am
My assumption there was that the edit doesn't show up if no one else has viewed your post yet, but it might be a timer. 

It kind of allows for edits without being caught, but if no one else has seen it, does it really matter?  If a post edits in the forest and no one is there to see it, does it make a sound?
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: popsofctown on May 24, 2012, 12:21:15 pm
I'm currently running no edit rules on the players' honor.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 24, 2012, 02:48:53 pm
Currently you have 120 seconds to edit a post before the "Edited By" shows up.

I assume that 2 minutes cannot possibly make a difference for most forum games, and that anyone that determined to abuse that edit function would be abusing PMs in the same way.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: popsofctown on May 24, 2012, 04:28:57 pm
For the sake of clarity, I don't want those 120 seconds used in any of my games.  I trust my players not to do so the way I trust them not to PM other players.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 24, 2012, 04:30:27 pm
What is the concern, exactly, though?  If you can edit a post much later, then yeah, you can misrepresent what people are quoting you for, and etc.  But in 2 minutes?  No forum game moves that fast.

I can shorten it to 60 seconds, if you like.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: popsofctown on May 24, 2012, 04:38:25 pm
What is the concern, exactly, though?  If you can edit a post much later, then yeah, you can misrepresent what people are quoting you for, and etc.  But in 2 minutes?  No forum game moves that fast.

I can shorten it to 60 seconds, if you like.

I meant to post that the last editted tag is not necessary at all, I trust my players.

The issue would be that in players A and B are the only players active in the thread.  Player A says, "I want the town to lose."  Player B reads it.  Player A edits it 100 seconds later to become "I want the town to choose". Player B reads it. I trust player B to tattle on Player A.  If he doesn't tattle, player B has an advantage gained from camping the thread, which is not a skill I want to test.  If player B is a serial killer, things are very unfair.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: rod- on May 25, 2012, 05:24:01 pm
To be honest, it bugs me too, and I'm participating in a Mafia game.  I read "Recent Posts (http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=recent)", which is flooded with Mafia posts now.

One suggestion is to browse the forum with "unread topics": http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;start=0

Another is to use http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=unread;c=1 which is all unread posts in the Dominion-related forums.

Is there a way to get seperate RSS feeds that include/exclude certain subforums?  I don't actually look at the webpage proper anymore except to post once in a rare while...just glance at the rss feeds regularly. 
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: theory on May 25, 2012, 11:15:05 pm
Yes, but the Forum Games posts should no longer be in the RSS feed:

Theory, how hard is it to implement a block of certain threads/subforums? This might help with the issues some people have.

edit: I'm talking about being able to personally block them if I wasn't clear.

Here's an RSS link for all posts not in "Non-Dominion related" (this excludes Introductions/Other Board Games/General Discussion from the RSS): http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?action=.xml;type=rss;limit=100;c=1,3

Basically, this topic (http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=25009.0) explains how to manipulate RSS feeds, and you can take it from there.
Title: Re: Mafia
Post by: Axxle on June 06, 2012, 04:09:35 pm
Side question: should posts in "Forum Games" count towards your overall posts?
Proof why they shouldn't, they don't follow rrenaud's law:
Godwin's law for f.ds, a long thread will eventually talk about the official version?