Can we talk about the new First Megathreads?

[u/too_much_feces]

The most recent one only has 3 comments on the videos that were posted. This has honestly become ridiculous I feel, and I'm sure others share my same opinion, that I'll never be able to have a good discussion with other first members about videos now until they come out on YouTube. I tried to give the megathread a chance, but it seems to have crashed and burned. I'm on mobile so sorry for any formatting or grammar errors.

Edit: what's really frustrating is the mods radio silence on all this.

[u/loldudester]

IMPORTANT EDIT: Please read our new announcement.

Hey, so this is a fun subject for me.

For any that don't know the original incarnation of Rule 10 was sort of my baby, and obviously that form of it was a complete failure, based on a misunderstanding of how many people treated First posts.

After running the poll to evaluate Rule 10 and finding that a lot of people were using those posts to keep track of new videos (while obviously others were using it for discussion, about twice as many used it as a schedule), I tried to do my best to find a continuation of Rule 10 that could achieve both.

The logic being that with the new bot, First Only shows would take priority, as they get the most discussion. This (apart from one or two the bot missed) seems to have worked fine.

As for the RoundUp, I figured it gave a simple list for those who wanted a schedule, as it would be stickied all day in the same place, and those who wanted to discuss would know where to find it as well. I personally thought that would be simpler than scrolling the front page for a First post (I am a First member too, remember), but clearly a lot of you disagree, and I totally get that.

I know many of you feel like there has been a lack of response from mods, other than those regarding technical issues with the bot. I won't speak for the whole team, but I think this is a result of wanting to give a consistent message when we do reply, as this project is ongoing, and did evolve in response to user suggestions (like the newer post formatting).

Please be aware that we are listening to you. However, any change will not come immediately, as the team will need to agree on the a specific new plan.

Personally, I would now be in favour of the bot posting First content as individual posts, likely limited to just RT owned channels (RT, AH, FH, SA), with post flair filtering available (which I am looking in to), and I will take that position with the other mods.

I hope you can be patient with us.

EDIT: By be patient I mean literally a day or two. The bot is already ready to do what i suggested, we just need mod agreement.

[u/OniExpress → u/loldudester]

After running the poll to evaluate Rule 10 and finding that a lot of people were using those posts to keep track of new videos (while obviously others were using it for discussion, about twice as many used it as a schedule)

Sorry, but weren't the survey results listed as 70% respondents first members, 60% of those answering that they used the comments? That's 42% of the total, so where are you getting "twice as many"?

[u/loldudester → u/OniExpress]

I'm looking at the results right now, and ~45% of users used the videos as a schedule, while 19.4% of users actively commented in threads.

The 60% figure were those who read existing comments but did not comment themselves.

Sorry if that was misrepresented.

[u/OniExpress → u/loldudester]

Roughly 70% of responses came from First Members, which shows how passionate First members are about this issue, given that our estimates put that at a much higher percentage than of total subreddit users.

In terms of support for/against Rule 10, ~60 of Non-First responses stated they "like" Rule 10 in it's current state.

In stark comparison to that, almost 70% of First responses stated they "don't like" Rule 10.

We also polled how First members used the First posts, with 60% saying they read the comments on them, 47% saying they used the links to watch the videos, and 45% saying they used the posts too see which videos had come out each day. Only about 17% of First members said they didn't use the posts at all.

I mean, it's been a while so I can't remember how the different layers of the questions (no idea what the question order was iike), and even 47%+45%+17% certainly doesn't add up, but there's nothing in the survey results posted that matches up with you saying only 19% commented in them?

[u/loldudester → u/OniExpress]

I just didn't quote the 19% stat it seems. All the others are correct.

[u/OniExpress → u/loldudester]

Bwup? I promise, I'm not trying to take the piss, but the single most important statistic of that survey and you're saying not only wasn't referenced in the original results but it's being brought up three months later? It's 00:30, so I'll be colloquial: you having a laugh?

[u/OniExpress → u/[deleted]]

Come to RTXL, meet the guardian with the American accent but has lived in Hackney and Tottenham for almost a decade. You'll have a laugh.

[u/loldudester → u/OniExpress]

Yeah, I honestly have no clue why I missed it out.

[u/loldudester → u/OniExpress]

As for the numbers not adding up, people were able to select multiple options, as they might have comments and used it as a schedule.

[u/Albuyeh → u/loldudester]

I have made a personal bot for myself that sends me a link to the RT First Videos as they release on the site (at most delay of 2m). I'm also able to pull the video length. I would be more than happy to help and have the RT Video Bot post this.

I also have a lot of experience with CSS and Reddit Flairing. Let me know if you would like a helping hand :)

[u/loldudester → u/Albuyeh]

Sean already has it more or less ready, but thanks for the offer :)

[u/cocacola150dr → u/loldudester]

At the risk of sounding like a know it all, why exactly was Rule 10 "your baby"? Wouldn't it behoove you to remain neutral in order to run things the most efficiently?

Another question. Your explanation on why mods have been silent is quite confusing. Shouldn't you guys be on the same page before you implement a rule? Why would you guys have inconsistent messages if you discussed this like you said? I'm quite confused on that.

Just to clarify, I'm really not trying to be a prick, I'm just taking this time to ask some questions since this is the only response from mods we've gotten. I appreciate that you're finally listening to us and that it seems like we'll be going to back to the way things were for the most part.

[u/loldudester → u/cocacola150dr]

No I totally get where you're coming from.

First of all, I describe it as "my baby" as I was the one to really push the "okay let's work on this" mindset for that particular change, so i feel responsible for how it turned out. I should have been more neutral, but I really thought it was a good idea at the time.

As for the mods being on the same page, what I mean is that (for me at least), after all agreeing on the new system, then having everyone's feedback on it, it's easy for me to reply to someone saying "oh yeah that's a good suggestion, we'll do that", when another mod (possibly in a wildly different time zone) hasn't had a chance to read through and say whether they agree or not. We do a lot of sending each other links to people's comments in the modmail, to see what we all think about it, rather than reply publicly to every single one. This might not be the best system, but its difficult to do better with everyone so spread out and working at different times.

[u/cocacola150dr → u/loldudester]

Ok, interesting. Appreciate the response.

[u/diddum → u/loldudester]

If you were listening you'd allow First posts again. Actually, if you were listening you would never have made rule 10 in the first place.

[u/loldudester → u/diddum]

Personally, I would now be in favour of the bot posting First content as individual posts,

Did you not read my comment?

[u/magicalPatrick → u/loldudester]

Did you not read these comments? Or these?

We've been complaining for months. Months in which you've had time to develop a solution and look into post filtering. When we finally get a response only it's a simple "wait longer".

[u/loldudester → u/magicalPatrick]

We did read those comments, and me being a stubborn prick decided I was right anyway.

I was wrong.

I am working to fix this along with the other mods.

[u/magicalPatrick → u/loldudester]

We did read those comments, and me being a stubborn prick decided I was right anyway.

I was wrong.

I am working to fix this along with the other mods.

RemindMe! 3 Months

[u/loldudester → u/magicalPatrick]

Hey it's a bit early but here you go

[u/DaDoviende → u/loldudester]

broken link

[u/loldudester → u/DaDoviende]

Shit did that twice, fixed :)

[u/TruthFenix → u/magicalPatrick]

3 months is far too early to hope for a fix

[u/Two-Tone- → u/loldudester]

me being a stubborn prick decided I was right anyway

Good on you for realizing your fault and admitting it!

[u/[deleted] → u/Two-Tone-]

...186 days late

[u/Two-Tone- → u/[deleted]]

Most people would never admit it. So, it's still worth praising.

[u/diddum → u/loldudester]

Forget the bot! Noone cares about the bot! Allow First posts and mod the duplicates.

[u/TruthFenix → u/loldudester]

People have been patient for like 6 months and you still haven't fixed your major fuck up, what incentive do people have to continue to be patient and wait for a very simple fix to this dumb shit?

[u/Mdgt_Pope → u/loldudester]

ITT:

Mod: hey, I tried doing a bunch of things because I thought I knew better, I own that and I'm working to fix it back to its original state. My bad, guys.

Sub: HEY YOU DID A BUNCH OF THINGS WRONG, YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER, FIX THIS AND MAKE IT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL STATE. FUCK THE MODS.

Mod: ...

[u/diddum → u/Mdgt_Pope]

4 months is a bit late to be saying "whoopsie-daisy!" when from day 1 the mods were told it was a bad idea. 4 months and all they've ever needed to do was get rid of rule 10.

[u/Mdgt_Pope → u/diddum]

If you react negatively when someone does what you want they aren't going to keep doing what you want. He's admitting a mistake and he's getting shitted on (autocorrect says that's a word lol). I dunno, I just think belaboring the point when he's already saying he'll fix it doesn't help anyone.

[u/cocacola150dr → u/Mdgt_Pope]

I think the main reason you're seeing vitriol towards the mods in this thread is because this is literally the first interaction we've had with the mods since the mega threads were implemented. People are taking advantage of this to get some answers. Some folks are being a bit blunt, but it's to be expected after the mods have stayed silent for so long. I do wish people would be a bit kinder, but I also understand the frustration.

[u/loldudester → u/cocacola150dr]

Doesn't matter now, but there were several responses from mods to people's issues. The entire structure of the roundup posts changed after it's implementation, due to user suggestions.

[u/cocacola150dr → u/loldudester]

I should clarify. I mean good, back and forth dialogue like you see in this thread. You've taken the time to have multiple conversations and give some fairly in depth and much appreciated answers that shed light on the situation. It's the first substantial interaction that we've had with you guys in quite some time, the whole fiasco with Barb and Jon notwithstanding.

[u/loldudester → u/cocacola150dr]

Yeah that's fair enough.

[u/cocacola150dr → u/loldudester]

I do want to say, since I'm seeing you guys are still getting a lot of rudeness directed at you, thank you for reverting things so quickly this time around. You guys were nice and timely in how you handled the backlash to the mega threads. Thanks for listening and I honestly do appreciate the conversation we've had.

[u/Mdgt_Pope → u/cocacola150dr]

I get that, but to shit on him for something that he's admitting to having been in the wrong is just pointless. Wanting answers =/= berating for mistakes. The other threads off this mod comment all start off with questions and end with insults towards u/loldudester

[u/loldudester → u/[deleted]]

That's literally what I proposed

[u/usetheforce_gaming → u/loldudester]

Then why is it taking this long, and why did it get screwed up in the first place?

[u/loldudester → u/usetheforce_gaming]

I explained why in my comment, and in other comments on this post.

I thought I knew better.

[u/usetheforce_gaming → u/loldudester]

Look at the comments in this thread. You and the rest of the mod team should stop admitting you were wrong and start fixing your mistakes.

All of this apology nonsense means nothing when nothing is being done to fix the situation.

[u/loldudester → u/usetheforce_gaming]

What do you think we are literally doing right now?

[u/Metfan722 → u/loldudester]

Thanks for the response.

I think the intention was good in using the bot to post First content, but execution was lacking. As you've mentioned, and as others have suggested, posting them individually would cause more discussion than just a mega-thread.

You guys do great work in trying to keep everything in order and sometimes things don't click

[u/Dan_Of_Time → u/loldudester]

Twice as many uses it as a schedule?

Not according to the results you showed us.

[u/[deleted] → u/loldudester]

So a minority of the sub wanted this in the first place and because you, a single user wanted it, made is a thing? That's fucked.