How Writers Can Benefit From the Triond Forum
We can all benefit from the Triond forum by exchanging ideas and discussing topics that can make us better writers. For this to work effectively, we need to work as a community.
The Forum on Triond was added as a place for members to discuss and share ideas and established Triond writers waited a long for it to be added. This should be a place where everybody can come for information and discussion but there has been some discord there lately.
It is very noticeable that many established writers have stopped using the forum because of misuse and abuse there. This is a pity because they were the first ones to support it and get it going, and they are the ones with lots experience to share.
The Way I See It
As is always the case in forums, some users have attempted to take advantage of its unmoderated status and use it as place to ‘bang the drum’ for their own personal beliefs and ideologies. This upsets other users and makes it an unpleasant place to be. It is good to share ideas and philosophies but it should be remembered that others have equally valid and useful ideas too.
Every writer on Triond wants others to come and read their work and the way to get them to do that is to use the system and read the work of others, and comment constructively. Most writers reciprocate. Pleading and begging for reads and posting strings of links in the forum spoils it for others who have to wade through all this to get to the real discussion. There is nothing wrong with adding a useful link if it is appropriate.
Then we have the users who are only interested in self gain and are trying to get free commercial advertising via links and referrals. This is against Triond Terms and Conditions.
The Way Triond Sees It
I contacted Triond to get the company’s view on these things and this is an excerpt from the reply that I received:
“When we added the Forum feature to Triond, we gave all users a place to discuss, contribute, and share information with one another. While there is no official moderation of the forum, it’s important to remember that the Triond Terms of Service agreement (to which every Triond user agrees when signing up) also applies to the forum. On the Triond Forum, as with many other on-line applications, spamming and abuse are unfortunate by-products of the open nature of the service.
Your suggestion to post some Rules of Conduct is a good one, and we will certainly discuss this idea.”
The sections of Triond Terms of Service that are relevant here are those covering abuse of the site, abuse of other users and using the site to post links for commercial gain.
Please see TOS sections as follows if you are interested: 4 (iv) , 9, 12, 16
To Sum Up
Wouldn’t it be better if we moderated ourselves by stopping all the unpleasantness and abuse of the forum rather than have it restricted by rules? Most of us would prefer this but unfortunately there is an element that thinks that freedom of speech is freedom to say anything anywhere to anyone without regard for feeling, or consequences.
Unfortunately there will always be those who are self seeking and only concerned with getting benefit for themselves.
I say, let’s clean up the forum and make it the great resource it could be. Let’s share ideas, tips, and thoughts to make each and every one of us a better writer. Post your ideas, queries and suggestions and let’s built a real community and use the forum as Triond intended us to, for the benefit of the site and for us as writers.
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Tags: abuse, commercialism, forum, group, help, triond forum, Triond terms, Writers
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February 22nd, 2009 at 11:02 am
Hear Hear Louie!! I have gotten fed up with forum spammers, this is not what I expected and hopefully Triond will get it sorted. Good Article.
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:08 am
I applaud your effort here Louie; and thank you for taking the time to write this piece. With any luck, it will reach all who need to read it.
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:49 am
I was never an active user of forums before so I had no idea about rules or moderation. I’ve just learned what it is considered spam there, for example. Now I would like to delete some of my posts in the forums which were just links to my articles (an advice I found in other Triond articles!) but I didn’t find the option of deleting posts.
Anyway, I’m learning the value of the forums from the experience (and mistakes) and now from your sensible article, Louie. Thanks!
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:51 am
“some users have attempted to take advantage of its unmoderated status and use it as place to ‘bang the drum’ for their own personal beliefs and ideologies”
^ Seconded. Amen to this.
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Go On Louie- I agree, although sometimes it does bring spice to the subject- I am sure the Forum can be fun without being offensive. One or two commentators have sparked a response from me- and it doesn’t bring out the best in otherwise open , Fun and candid discussion.
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Well said Louie. Let’s hope that those who are causing the problem read this
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
i never knew Triond hada forum…
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
good work great article for those looking to improve their knowledge of triond
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I had been warned away by some seasoned writers who advised that there are those who were being somewhat abusive to those who believed differently than they did.
I saw a derogatory comment on a writer’s article implying the writer was not thinking because he followed Christianity. Another individual came to his defense and was called names. A difference of opinion is a wonderful thing. It sparks conversation, thought and interaction, but it is not all right to belittle or degrade someone who simply feels or thinks differently than us. Respect goes a long way.
Thanks, Louie for bringing this up. Take care & G♥d bless!
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
A good article – I think, Louie that you should go to work at the UN or something!
I think the Forum is a great idea but unfortunately with no moderation (and it would probably mean Triond having to employ someone to sift through all the posts on a daily basis) then it is a great opportunity for a lot of w**kers out there (excuse my French) to air their bigoted opinions and for others to try and get people to click the links to their own articles (many of which are of a suspect standard).
I think I will probably leave well alone. I use Triond as a portal and have made friends there on a fluid if irregular basis (sounds strange, I know!). I spend a great deal of time writing my stuff, reading and commenting on that of my friends and at the end of the day – and I have to be honest here – I don’t have the time, inclination or the energy to go in to the forums.
The main reason why – because I just know I wouldn’t be able to resist getting involved and then spending heaps of time in there which could be better used elsewhere. That’s very selfish, I know. But….
Anyway, thanks for another thought provoking article!
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Thanks for all the positive comments.
I have received abuse and name calling myself, because I have expressed my opinion on and within the forum. Maybe it is time for me to bow out and leave them to it.
Like RJ I know I can’t go there without getting involved so perhaps it’s best to stay away.
February 22nd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
This is an eye opener. I post on Triond, read my friends work and leave comments… and hope they do the same. Once I was guilty of pushing another site, but I learned my lesson!
A few folks have left sophomoric messages for me, but for the most part it is a positive experience. I enjoy your work and hope you stick with Triond.
Thanks,
Clay
February 22nd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Louie, I totally agree with you here. Spammers are ruining the forum for the rest of us. It’s so depressing logging onto the forum each day and seeing scores of posts that are almost identical after more views or whatever. I know I’m not exactly innocent when it comes to those heated debates, but like you and RJ, I just can’t help getting involved.
February 22nd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Louie this is an excellent post — thanks for doing all the work talking to the Triond admin about this stuff. I’ve used the forum a little but got so turned off by the spamming. I’m not talking about a person occasionally leaving a link to an article, but to someone pounding the forum so that you can’t escape that person’s presence. Yuck. As a writer wannabe, I’d love a place to go where I could get advice and questions answered from the experienced writers. I get good feedback on Comments, but the Forum could enhance that even more.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:22 pm
I don’t usually read the forums, I’m too busy. By the time I look at articles by people on my friend list, look at the recent published stuff for fun things to read, and meet my goal of two daily items written, I’ve used up my “spare” time and then some. I’m afraid “flaming” and “spam” are unhappy parts of any forum, thanks to people who really don’t understand the purpose of sharing and helping each other. I hope, however, that those who do use it will be helped by this article. It is nicely written, and points out some of the faults of the internet community at large as well as Triond users.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:32 pm
First of all Louie I would like to congratulate you on an excellent article. I am here to write , I’m selfish as I do it mostly for my own pleasure. I do not put links on anything and I do not ask people to read my articles.I have not been to the forum cause like Rj I find myself bust enough getting an article done and posted and trying to read the excellent material of my friends and leaving comments. Surely something can be done about these spammers you can’t just let them take over there must be a way to eliminate them from the forum. I would love some help in the picture dept. but will try to get through it myself as I know everyones time is precious. Thank you for the research into this Louie, you did a great job.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Hoooo, boy. I took a fast look at the forum. There’s some good stuff in there, but a lot of bewildered wanderers and a few people throwing sand in the works. Unfortunately, this is typical of forums of any kind. Louie, thanks for the writing the very nice article. Maybe it will help.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I haven’t checked in to the forum, but you have touched on many areas that I’m fear of…
It’s great that you are calling action to have a better forum for everyone!
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Very nice, thoughtful article – - I do not use the forum, but can see the value of any place where people are able to share thoughts, ask advice etc.
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Great article Louie. I haven’t been to the Triond forum, but I knew that there was one. I think it is a great way to help writers. I will have to check it out now.
I have been to other forums where things do tend to get heated there. I just hope that the people who are causing problems in the Triond forum will read your article and realize that they are making it bad for everyone else who wants to go there to post to other writers.
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I visited there a few times but I couldn’t see anything there of help to me. I think my time is better spent doing research, writing, and reading my friends content. It takes up a lot of my time doing that.
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I am totally new here and never knew about these issues. I have noticed that some users are posting repeat articles and I have received blatant requests for posting comments in a quid pro quo fashion.
I am here to learn from others and hone my writing skills. I also am trying to give whatever I can. I appreciate your writing this article as my interest does not lie in getting more views (= pennies) for my work, but more to establish myself as a writer so that I can feel more fulfilled in my life.
Thanks for posting this article and bring these issues to my awareness.
Best Regards
Vikram
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Great and thoughtful article, Louie.
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I couldn’t see how the Triond’s forum could help us. It’s been a dumbsite for throwing junk of links. And most of the info, are not properly screened which make the forum seems like a mess and not professional. Most spammers have misused this forum for other purposes.
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:57 pm
i didn’t know there exist such issues in the forum.
thanks Louie for the eye-opener.
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Absolutely 100 percent in agreement with you. There are ways to use fora such as this which make it pleasant for everyone. And given that it is a public arena, the for everyone bit is important. Not everyone is entirely comfortable with being bombarded with this advertisement, that polemic or the other ideology – and it’s not the forum for that sort of thing anyway.
People who engage in such activities are only interested in themselves. As such they should be politely but firmly corrected. Or banished.
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:33 am
so true its being ridiculously abused and getting worse and worse, good article.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:51 am
Hi Louie,
I actually have never posted on the forum but have read a bit and you are right in the fact that there is more complaining, whining and spamming than anything else. I have not actually found it that helpful which is why I have used it so little. Nice ideas.
RJ
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:22 am
So true, Louie. I don’t even bother going to the forums (fora) now.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:19 am
That’s so true, Louie. I don’t spend time on the forums, but I hope that the people who do, will actually read this and take in on board.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Amen, I hope to see a positive outcome from this. As a newbie, I would love to come into a more useful forum. I really didn’t even know it existed. Your article should stimulate a better use of this tool. You would hope!
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Nice post Louie. I stopped using the forum for these reasons. Everyone was using it to advertise not as a forum.
February 25th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Forums will be forums. As long as there are online forums, there will be those who abuse the privileges offered to them with them. In this case, however, it needs to be taken a little more seriously. While the internet is not, if you would, ’srs bznz’, when it comes to things like Triond, which deal with money, spamming and mindless debates are out of place. Such problems do need to be taken care of, but members cannot be alienated in the process.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:03 am
Good article. I absolutely agree with you. I hardly look at the forum now. It’s just masses of spam. I’m also suprised that people respond to these posts, as it just perpetuates it.