Arguements in the forums that turn into flames

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 3:28 pm

Argg... Flame wars.. I really can't stand them... They may produce one iota of useful information, but most of the time it's people mouthing off without checking or researching the information that is being argued.

How do you defuse flame wars on your forums?

(I ask because on of the members of my site posted an honest evaluation of a technical theater school (not favorable to the school) and another member of the site that attends the school took personal offense to that. Thus, the student took that view of the one member and applied it to the whole site.)

Sergeant Joined: Oct 14, 2003 Posts: 115

One method that you could use to try to reduce the flamers is to put a sticky at the top of each forum and try to make sure that the members read it.

In addition, try to get the moderators to get stuck in and try to reduce the tension. if necessary tell them to discuss their differences on MSNM or something, or temporarily ban them. They should get the picture sooner or later.

Unfortunately you can't control what they say, but you can control the people who say offensive things on the forums.

I would say try warning them first, and if it doesn't work put them on a weeks ban or something (if you can afford to do that.) it's really an idividual way to cool down arguments that break out.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 3:21 pm

dsnail2000 wrote:

How do you defuse flame wars on your forums?

LoL! I have found that deleting posts and/or closing threads works pretty well... Twisted Evil

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 6:35 am

Hello,

The best way to stop flame wars is to set a rule against it and see to it that they follow the rule or ban the user.

Captain Joined: Oct 20, 2003 Posts: 335

Here's a complete opposite idea- open a forum called FLAME WARS. Post that 'anything goes', 'BE WARNED', dont complain to the site webmaster, if you cant handle it, stay out, etc etc.... This allows for total freedom of speech, and helps keep the flames out of the regular forums. I always do this with chat (make an area for 'arguing'). Helps keep the abusers out of the regular areas cause they know they are 'safe' in the flame area.

Then you just move flames to the flame area.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:34 pm

just don't reply to the flaming postings and it will end when they're tired of it Wink

Nuke Soldier Joined: Jul 31, 2004 Posts: 27

Ban them for a few days. If they come back and flame, ban them for longer. If they come back and are still tards, its perma. User dependant, I personally try and stick with the 3 strike you're out rule.

Also, I think it's important that you PM them and keep it out of your members view why the person got a short holiday. Running a site and belittling your members in public isn't a good way of attracting new members IMO.

Sergeant Joined: Oct 29, 2004 Posts: 75

I made a flame wars place and my forum turned into mayhem. So I don't advise that. Better keep an iron hand on the things with the help of mods and with some luck it would defuse.