Important: Merging of the Baseball Forums

[Boss-Hog]

Everyone,

In July, we posed a question to the site asking for feedback on potentially merging the Old Red Guard with the Sun Deck into one baseball forum. After considerable discussion within each forum’s thread, with the moderator staff, and between the administrators, we have decided to proceed with this merger.

Members who have been registered for 45 days and have a minimum of 50 posts will automatically be moved to the ORG (Game Thread posts will not count toward this tally). The Sun Deck will remain as an introductory forum for new members, and ORG members will have posting access as well; however, they will not be able to start new threads. This format is intended for new members to get their bearings (and allow the opportunity for ORG members to interact and mentor) before moving to the ORG.

To reiterate, there will no longer be a requirement for Sun Deck members to request access to the ORG. It will occur automatically after the minimum requirement of 45 days and 50 posts has been met. As such, ORG members will no longer vote on these applications. Additionally, there will not be demotions from the ORG to the Sun Deck as the Sun Deck will be, as stated earlier, an introductory forum for new members and no longer a standalone baseball forum. If a member does not abide by the site rules in the ORG, they will be given infractions, and, when warranted, removed from RedsZone altogether.

The moderator staff has been apprised to the framework of this change and is dedicated to helping keep the site run smoothly and successfully as we enter our 14th year as the best community of Reds fans online. We would also like to take this time to welcome back Tommyjohn25 as a site moderator, thank Johnny Footstool for his contributions as a moderator and thank the entire moderator staff for their hard work and commitment to the site.

We realize many long-time members have endured several significant changes to the site's structure over the years. We have always appreciated your patience and support during these times, and this one is no different. We also realize there was a large percentage of ORG members that did not want to see this change occur. We particularly ask those users to give these changes a chance; those joining the ORG will be subject to the same rules that ORG members are used to and not the relatively free reign many former Sun Deck members have enjoyed. We are especially open to your feedback now and as the change is implemented.

We tentatively plan on implementing these changes the weekend of 2/1 - 2/3 but this will definitely be done before Spring Training. We are excited to implement these new changes and are looking forward to a great new year and season.

[bigredmechanism]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sa_OQgWiPA

[nate1213]

About time, I visit this board everyday to read the discussions on the big board. Now I can finally converse with them.

[Zimmers]

Well done and we'll said.

[RedTruck]

So what becomes the point of this board?

[bigredmechanism]

So what becomes the point of this board?

The first post explains this.:laugh:

[The DARK]

Glad to see this. I've found that the quality of discussion on the Sun Deck has been much improved as of late, though a 97 win season sure helps keep the trolls away.

[m21eagle45]

As a guy who visits and reads both boards, but does not post much, I feel this is a good move. I think this move will be of the best for the entire website.

[podgejeff_]

This move sounds like it will work out for the best. I've been coming here since 2005 to read discussions in The Old Red Guard but didn't feel like going through the rigamarole of the voting system to get posting rights there. I think the moderators will have to be up to the task to keep it at the quality it's at, but it will definitely add more discussion.

[Number_Fourteen]

This move sounds like it will work out for the best. I've been coming here since 2005 to read discussions in The Old Red Guard but didn't feel like going through the rigamarole of the voting system to get posting rights there. I think the moderators will have to be up to the task to keep it at the quality it's at, but it will definitely add more discussion.

I think I've been at it since the early 2000's; less than 200 posts, and, like yourself, without the gumption needed to make the push up to ORG. That said, I've always desired at least the option every now & then, to chime in on ORG.

Living in Los Angeles, I'm not exactly surrounded by other Reds fans, so when happenings are afoot w/ the Reds, I have only this board for discussion and/or information (mainly reading). And, I do visit the boards daily to read (esp. ORG), and have since I became a member.

Funny thing is, I had this fear of not being able to fully enjoy a Reds World Series (and, hopefully, celebration), simply because I wouldn't be able to engage in the massive ORG excitement & revelry that would occur during & afterwards. Might sound silly, but having the option to post in ORG means a lot.

Most important, I think that the revised Sun Deck rules are quite solid, and should really help the overall comportment of ORG. I also welcome a broader range of posted topics as well, which surely will occur.

I cannot thank Boss, GIK & the moderators enough, for all you guys do here for us Reds fans. :thumbup::beerme:

[FlyingPig]

As someone who has previously paid $$ to mingle with Redzone's best, I wholeheartedly approve of this decision. :beerme:

[leeech86]

I think this is a good idea. I rarely post, but when I try to randomly half the time I forget I'm reading a discussion is the ORG. It can be a bummer.

[Beatlessp]

Only my second post, but having lurked/posted on other site's boards for several years now, I have already come to prefer this board to others. now...to get to that 50 post minimum by the start of the season :)

[TheBigLebowski]

Excellent.

[5TimeWSChamps]

Nice

[redsfanmia]

I hope this works out and we can all be civil and get along, I have my doubts considering how the board was pre split.

[jhiller21]

This should be fun, all of us thrown back into the same room again. Lets all play nice and enjoy some baseball :)

[SweetLou1990]

Wow - I'll always remember where i was at when I was called up to the show!

[Blood Red Path]

As a guy who visits and reads both boards, but does not post much, I feel this is a good move. I think this move will be of the best for the entire website.

Word for word I co-sign this post.

In fact I may even be encouraged to post more as a result of this format change.

[BlackPete Ibold]

Only my second post, but having lurked/posted on other site's boards for several years now, I have already come to prefer this board to others. now...to get to that 50 post minimum by the start of the season :)




My sentiments exactly


But with no major moves to ponder, might be Spring before I can gin up 50 posts

[Maldez]

Finally, good sense prevails. I've never understood the purpose of what appears to me as a caste system.

[WDE]

Sweet.

[New York Red]

:beerme:

[Boss-Hog]

We have decided to increase the number of registration time from 30 to 45 days and leave the minimum post count at 50.

[Ironman92]

Now I can be enjoyed by all.

[Beatlessp]

My sentiments exactly


But with no major moves to ponder, might be Spring before I can gin up 50 posts

Spring training....those final 2-3 guys are gonna be talked about and debated for a month :-)

[PaulyOH]

Finally, good sense prevails. I've never understood the purpose of what appears to me as a caste system.

100 percent agree with this sentiment. I've been a long-time reader of the ORG but never signed up so I could post until today because I disliked the format here. Looking forward to finally participating in the discussions.

[Jr's Boy]

Finally, good sense prevails. I've never understood the purpose of what appears to me as a caste system.

Caste system is exactly what I said.I know your a Reds message board veteran,I remember your name on the old AOL Reds board.Remember the ''Casey vs Konerko''thread?:D

[coachpipe]

Awesome...I finally belong!

[Zimmers]

Its a big step in the right direction for redszone and we all need to give our support and thanks. I am in the same boat as most, and am here mostly everyday and mainly lurk because of lack of topics in redszone. Bring on the changes, and play ball.

[Brisco]

I am posting in this thread, but I am hoping this gets discussed as part of the merger thread on ORG where they are having what I consider to be both an interesting and fruitful discussion about the past, present and future of Redszone.

First, about me, I have been part of this board since it crossed over from the old board on the enquirer page. A military deployment interrupted my access for a while and when I returned I had forgotten my login name and lost the old email address so i had to start fresh. I have always loved coming to this board just to primarily read the posts of others. I think of myself as a huge Reds fan, but with none of the advanced baseball knowledge of some other posters, I seldom have much to add.

Now, about the general denigration of post quality that keeps being referred to on the ORG. I think Doug made excellent points about the fact that the Reds success limits the areas for improvement and thus the potential fruitful topics on the 'Zone. I also think that he is right that as the board matures, certain fundamental discussions (which stat is more valid and so on) get ironed out, which again limits the new and interesting discussion.

However, I disagree with most of the ORG posters when they talk about all the posters that have left. I do not think that this is necessarily the fault of the board so much as it is simple attrition. There are many things in life that pull us away from things and even the best board on the net is still going to lose around 10% of its avid posters every given year.

The real issue is that the current board separation may have actually prevented those expected losses from being replaced by new avid posters. The Sundeck has become like the Queen's Australia... a place for criminals... in this case that means newbies, boring lurkers like myself, and the immature offensive types the ORG likes to keep out. This is what is turning away your potential "new talent". You have to wonder how many new FCBs, TRFs, M2s, and RedStorms have been turned away by the interactions that they have had on the Deck... not wanting to put in the work, and I do mean work, it would take to impress the folks on ORG... folks you do not really have direct interaction with since you cant engage in the same conversations.

I think the new rules are great, but I have one caveat... i think the Mods of the new Sundeck should be primarily focused on helping new folks become part of the community... they should interact with the casual fan who asks the stupid question now and then, but do so in a supportive and educational way. In fact, I propose that it be a rotational duty for all the core posters of the old ORG. Say two of them are on duty each week to help make the Sundeck a welcoming environment... doing the basic things like explaining acronyms or what nickname refers to what player. They are not there to police the Deck, but rather serve as Rush Chairmen (Animal House reference).

This may seem like a chore at first, but the fact is they all love the Reds and I think explaining things to newbies can make you love being a fan even more.

I would willing volunteer to be part of this rotation if you need me after the merge, but I hope that the folks more knowledgeable than I would take up the mantle.

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Brisco

[Larry Schuler]

Last year I was recruited to be a part of a program where Old Red Guard posters were sent back to the Sun Deck to both help & monitor the newer posters. Sort of like a mix between a secret shopper and 21 Jump Street. The plan was to help usher in a new golden era of RedsZone with a squad of exceptional young posters. However, just after I was demoted to the Sun Deck the program was shelved. It turned out that the moderator who organized it did so without the consent & knowledge of the admins. The moderator responsible for Operation New Red Guard was banned & deleted but myself and a few (still anonymous) posters who were recruited were given a less drastic punishment: we had to stay on the Sun Deck. I alleged that I had no knowledge that the mission was illegal yet I accepted my punishment. The merging of the forums allows me to re-enter my original home and try to re-build all the great, high quality posts that were deleted off my record long ago. I look forward to, with great anticipation, the reunion between myself and my brothers M2, Raisor, DougDirt and the rest. God bless this new world we live in & sorry to anyone I may have hurt in Operation NRG.

[RiverRat13]

Now, about the general denigration of post quality that keeps being referred to on the ORG. I think Doug made excellent points about the fact that the Reds success limits the areas for improvement and thus the potential fruitful topics on the 'Zone.

I think this is a great point and can be applied to why this particular winter has been very slow on both the ORG and SunDeck.. I wanted Walt to add a couple of left-handed bats, preferably one to replace or platoon with Stubbs and one to play 3B to spell Frazier. I also wanted the Reds to acquire a back-end bullpen guy to allow Chapman to be tried in the rotation. He took care of all of those things before I took care of my Christmas shopping. Not a whole lot to discuss until we start playing some games.

[Mutaman]

Hey Texas Dave, how do we feel about this. Sort of enjoyed old Sun Deck last summer. Do we want to be part of a club that would accept us as members? :)

[texasdave]

It was fun last summer. Winning 97 games will do that.

[Parliament]

Last year I was recruited to be a part of a program where Old Red Guard posters were sent back to the Sun Deck to both help & monitor the newer posters. Sort of like a mix between a secret shopper and 21 Jump Street. The plan was to help usher in a new golden era of RedsZone with a squad of exceptional young posters. However, just after I was demoted to the Sun Deck the program was shelved. It turned out that the moderator who organized it did so without the consent & knowledge of the admins. The moderator responsible for Operation New Red Guard was banned & deleted but myself and a few (still anonymous) posters who were recruited were given a less drastic punishment: we had to stay on the Sun Deck. I alleged that I had no knowledge that the mission was illegal yet I accepted my punishment. The merging of the forums allows me to re-enter my original home and try to re-build all the great, high quality posts that were deleted off my record long ago. I look forward to, with great anticipation, the reunion between myself and my brothers M2, Raisor, DougDirt and the rest. God bless this new world we live in & sorry to anyone I may have hurt in Operation NRG.

Just curious, why on earth would you stay and contribute your time and energy to a website that did that to you?

[Boss-Hog]

Just curious, why on earth would you stay and contribute your time and energy to a website that did that to you?
That's satire and not factual.

[Maldez]

Caste system is exactly what I said.I know your a Reds message board veteran,I remember your name on the old AOL Reds board.Remember the ''Casey vs Konerko''thread?:D

Wow, that brings back memories! What was the name of the board whipping boy that everybody jumped on because he was such a mouthy know-it-all?

[Mutaman]

:laugh:
It was fun last summer. Winning 97 games will do that.

:laugh: And just think how many we'll win now that we've got another left handed hitter.

[smixsell]

Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! (in my best "William Wallace" voice)

[BEETTLEBUG]

Boss Hog,
excuse me if I have missed the change over date if posted but when is this going to take place?

[Red Raindog]

Boss Hog,
excuse me if I have missed the change over date if posted but when is this going to take place?

1st post in this thread says 2/1 to 2/3 is the tentative start date but certainly before Spring Training

Will life ever be the same?

[Boss-Hog]

1st post in this thread says 2/1 to 2/3 is the tentative start date but certainly before Spring Training

Will life ever be the same?

That's the plan, but due to a busy weekend, I MAY be able to make the changes tomorrow.

[BEETTLEBUG]

Thank you Boss-Hog kool.

[Boss-Hog]

The "like" addon has been implemented; this will be on a trial basis. The button refers to the original name of the addon ("thanks"), so give us some time until we can come up with something similar that has the "like" verbiage. In the meantime, the functionality should be identical, but let us know if you have any issues with it.

I've disabled the "like" stats under each user name in a post, but I left them enabled in user profiles (under the "Statistics" tab). They can be enabled in both, neither or one place(s). You can also use the search function to find all "liked" posts throughout the site.

I expect to have the remaining changes related to the merger done by tomorrow.

[Red Raindog]

The "like" addon has been implemented; this will be on a trial basis. The button refers to the original name of the addon ("thanks"), so give us some time until we can come up with something similar that has the "like" verbiage. In the meantime, the functionality should be identical, but let us know if you have any issues with it.

I've disabled the "like" stats under each user name in a post, but I left them enabled in user profiles (under the "Statistics" tab). They can be enabled in both, neither or one place(s). You can also use the search function to find all "liked" posts throughout the site.

I expect to have the remaining changes related to the merger done by tomorrow.

I just HAD to be the first to use the new buttton!

[Larry Schuler]

I just HAD to be the first to use the new buttton!

Great post, Raindog! We need more like it around these parts! :beerme:

This is the greatest Reds forum in the world! Click "Thanks" if you agree! :beerme:

[MikeThierry]

I'm personally giddy about the whole thing. I'll be able to post in here now.

[MBZags]

I'm personally giddy about the whole thing. I'll be able to post in here now.

Welcome!

[MikeThierry]

Welcome!

Thanks! There's been so many times as an Old Red Guard member that I wanted to post something in here but couldn't do it.