Rules for creating a thread in Projects subforum

[Rhino.Freak]

So with the increasing number of topics that are purely spam and irrelevant, I suggest making some strict set of rules that must be followed WHILE creating your new thread in the 'Projects' sub forum.
Something better would be to add 'moderator's approval' too before the thread is posted publicly.


Some of the simple rules that can be implemented are: (most things are written for mod threads)
1. Follow a proper format with an Introduction part for your project where you describe it briefly followed by 'features' that will provide info on number of characters, game play style etc..
2. Provide a minimum of 5 distinct screenshots that shows the progress for your project.
3. provide a FAQ and Known bugs part in your thread.


I think these are simple stuff (which you guys can improve) that if followed would make the threads easier to read and ensures that spam topics get filtered out.

It would be awesome if its combined with moderator approval systen
What do others have to say?

[A-Man]

I like the idea, and I am pretty sure it would help. The thing about moderators would be effective too, but it would suck having to wait for a moderator to approve. It would be great to have these rules appear on top of the thread creation page though.

[Monolanier]

I suggest that project first post should contain format. This template would be in locked thread at project section and named "Project topic base"

Code:

Name:
Description:
Modified (mod/character/weapon/stage/etc):
Credits:
Creator(s):
Screenshot/Video:

//"Name" self explaintonary.
//"Description" self explaintonary.
//"Modified (mod/character/weapon/stage/etc)" Sometimes people just takes someone's work and edits it. For example, someone took character named "A" and he turned him into character named "ssA". Creator of "ssA" would give a link to that character, author's name or screenshot of "A" character.
//"Credits" to write authors name if you were using somebodys work and edited it. If its was custom not edited work, then they should write N/A
//"Creator(s)" write names, nicknames of people who made this project.
//"Screenshot/Video" self explaintonary.


we could use something like that so first topic post would not be messy"
Also, we admins/mods are going first check it before posting, then they could decide if the project is good enough and person is following rules.

[mfc]

Don't worry guys, a single permaban could solve all our problems. Just be patient ^^

[empirefantasy]

There are 2 posts already in the important thread section that explain how to post in project forum. Also with a proper moderator, project can be keep clean. I just can't accept the idea of waiting for your post to be posted....

[YinYin]

You could also only ever look into the releases sub forum if you can't deal.
No need to wall of the still open part.

[A-Man]

You could also only ever look into the releases sub forum if you can't deal.

This is not a solution.
Newbies usually are very hasty when it comes to showing off their works, and that, I believe, is the reason they're oblivious to the existence of the projects' showcases' rules/templates.

[Memento]

Some of the simple rules that can be implemented are: (most things are written for mod threads)
1. Follow a proper format with an Introduction part for your project where you describe it briefly followed by 'features' that will provide info on number of characters, game play style etc..'s a
2. Provide a minimum of 5 distinct screenshots that shows the progress for your project.
3. provide a FAQ and Known bugs part in your thread.

1. I agree on this one. There already exists a rule like this, but it's never a bad thing to be really specific.

How about a message that shows up the first time you try to post a thread in the topics section? Could something like this be realised or is it a difficult matter? It's hard to overlook that ;-)

You could also only ever look into the releases sub forum if you can't deal.
No need to wall of the still open part.

Not a real solution imho. Besides, not all releases are actually in there.

[STM1993]

What if making a new thread in Projects will load up a template for you to fill in?

1) Standardized formatting. Easier to read, easier to type, easier to tell if its not properly done.
2) Even newbies who fail to read the forum-specific rules get the idea that they should fill in the template.
3) Newbies also learn about HTML formatting.

I am all in favour of making improvements toward making project threads, but I am against requiring moderators to approve a thread before it appears.

EDIT:

What does filling in a template have to do with learning about html formatting? Why would that be relevant to posting a project?

I mean stuff like the quote/bold/underline/strikeout tags. Just a side-benefit for people who are completely new to the idea of using that in posts for formatting when posting in other parts of the forum. Not relevant to this specific thing though.

Either way, I just realized what I posted here is basically what Mono already suggested.

[YinYin]

What does filling in a template have to do with learning about html formatting? Why would that be relevant to posting a project?

Either way I could see that working following Monos template suggestion, if you are allowed to leave fields blank if not applicable (credits/creator is pointless if it's your own work - screenshot may be worthless if there are no new graphics to show - video recording is not part of everyones skill set - etc.).
It hardly is a big difference to the normal posting form though - the main importance really is being reminded of these things the second you are wording it out and inserting a one shot message or creating a whole template just for that may be overkill and not really meet your intentions.

A simpler solution might be pre filling the project post form with bullet points and explanations of what people may wanna know/see from a project post.
Just have the post thread text box already contain text telling you to replace it with your projects content. No new rules or approval required.

Newbies usually are very hasty when it comes to showing off their works, and that, I believe, is the reason they're oblivious to the existence of the projects' showcases' rules/templates.

Making it harder for everyone to post a project will not change anything about it.

not all releases are actually in there.

That's a problem with the moderation, not the existing rules.

EDIT:

What does filling in a template have to do with learning about html formatting? Why would that be relevant to posting a project?

I mean stuff like the quote/bold/underline/strikeout tags. Just a side-benefit for people who are completely new to the idea of using that in posts for formatting when posting in other parts of the forum. Not relevant to this specific thing though.

Either way, I just realized what I posted here is basically what Mono already suggested.

I misunderstood you then. I thought you meant separate text boxes to fill in that will eventually craft the post for you, cutting out the bbcode formatting hassle.