Good post, Stainless.
Stainless said:
From a general presentation stand point it's bad. Random traffic that pops by, is more often then not going to be put off by some opinionated derogertory remarks in news posts, thinking it's the sites general approach to news posting.
The question is do we need those who would be put off by some, what was it... "opinionated derogatory remarks"? I say fuck 'em. Don't get me wrong though, I don't expect to see those who'd agree with me - where is fun in that?, I expect those who are smart enough to see the site for what it is, without being told to, appreciate its fucked up beauty, then join and disagree with me by posting a good argument.
From developors, modders, (insert person happy to hand out whatever that's of interest), etc point of view, it may indeed just put them off freely giving people of the site interviews, etc. Quite frankly, who wants to deal with a website that goes out and slanderises them on their front page.
Well, funny enough this site has seen more developers than any kissy-ass politically correct site. Go figure, eh?
Feargus Urquhart said:
I try to hit the other forums from time to time, but it's not as much as I'd like. I usually swing by the RPGCodex boards a couple times a week to see what is going on there as well.
I can't think of other developer who was more flamed here than David Gaider, yet he continues to drop by, to argue and often to flame. Cool guy.
There is nothing wrong against being opinionated in a news topic, but there more subtle approaches you can use, and then just call them retards, morons whatever in your own little post in the forum afterwards.
That just doesn't agree with me, making a neutral post and then adding an insult later. I speak my mind, simple as that. If the subject of a news post is retarded, I say so openly. Doesn't mean you have to believe and accept what I say. Argue, flame, agree, disagree, etc - that's what the siite is all about.
If people are wanting to find information, they'll read news for the content, not for the wonderful shock value opinions of the news poster. If they want that, let them click the "read comments" button.
Alternatively, they can hit other sites as well, the sites that offer dry news. Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing. So, instead of changing the site and becoming just like everybody fucking else, we can continue doing what we did for 2+ years now.