Screenshots/approval system for resources?

[HotfireLegend]

Basically, I'm thinking submitted resources should at the very least have a screenshot preview. A thumbnail is too small to see, and I don't want to press download on every resource just to find out what it is.

Alternatively, a submission/approval system where any staff member can approve said resource if it shows enough quality or is appropriate, etc.

Either case would be fine, even both together would be best.

 

[Amysaurus]

I agree 1000%

All it takes is one member with malicious intent, and suddenly we're all downloading viruses. I prefer to know exactly what I'm getting before I download something, and it feels like a total gamble at the moment. I think the reason for not approving resources yet is our limited number of staff, but I don't think it's something we couldn't handle.

I'd love to hear some opinions, @Xyphien, @sage, @LTN Games ;D

 

[MinisterJay]

For those that want to keep stats on downloaded resources, to figure out supply and demand, a "SAMPLE" or equivalent marking can be put on the thread's displayed resource. Of course, the markings would not be on the downloaded copy. I have started implementing this technique in the last few images, that I have contributed.

Example:


IMO, having an approval system would deflate the atmosphere of the forum. There are stated rules and guidelines for the forum. If a resource violates that, then it can be removed by staff, with no problems.

 

[Xyphien]

Xenforo scans the files for malicious software, if somehow the user does upload malicious software on this site, we would both IP Ban them and contact the authorities.

 

[Amysaurus]

@MinisterJay: I don't think it would quite deflate the atmosphere. It'd be more or less a quality/content check for the resources being added to the site, mostly to avoid rule-breaking resources. I wouldn't worry about it until we have more members, honestly. I don't think there's more being uploaded than we can go through with a casual scroll through the resources. :)

The sample images are a nice idea, by the way!

@Xyphien: That's about what I figured. Sounds like a good plan. ^^

What do you think of the preview image idea? :O

 

[HotfireLegend]

My point wasn't about the viruses (I had never even thought about that until Amy mentioned it) - it was about the preview images.

 

[Xyphien]

My point wasn't about the viruses (I had never even thought about that until Amy mentioned it) - it was about the preview images.

MUST Have at least 1 picture displaying your resource. Resources without a picture will be removed until you add a picture preview to the post itself. This does NOT count towards your resource icon image.

This is now a rule, and I will make sure the moderators and community know of this new rule :) I have been trying to get people to add images as well with soubtle hints, as I feel the same way, and having it a rule would make things a lot better.

Thank you for taking the time to suggest your opinions/ideas on how to improve the site, it's always nice to have members taking the time to help advance the forum into a better state!

 

[LTN Games]

I personally prefer more detialed resources. When I submitted my game I added screenshots, credits, alternative dl link and story information. People won't take time to download a game of say 400mb with no info about it or screenshots ,same goes for all resources. I agree with HFL. I have mentioned this before and we even have it in the resource rules. It should be mandatory to provide a video or screenshot of the resource and as much info as possible.

 

[Macro]

Yeah many of the submitted resources hardly have any info at all. I don't even bother downloading ones with zero clearly visible screenshots and/or minimal descriptions.

 

[Bizarre Monkey]

Admin approval? No.

Just. No.

I've been waiting three days for just a silly wiki page edit to be approved.

There's only one person here who does their job with any sort of fidelity, and it's a moderator.

So make it staff approved. EVERYTHING.

Should be allowed approval by staff as a whole, you hired them to make your jobs easier, didn't you?

Our admins are great, don't get me wrong.

But they're lazy. This forum grew into something beyond their comprehension before they knew it was too big to handle on their own.

Hey, I got nothin' against being lazy, but uh--

if you wanna keep people here, you're gonna want to approve em before they've had three days to wonder what's going on, instead of asking you to become super steadfast in an instant, just let the mods have an approval badge as well, I mean, you hired em because you trust em, right?

As for lazy submissions, well... that shouldn't be your problem.

People won't take time to download a game of say 400mb with no info about it or screenshots ,same goes for all resources.

That's an issue that'll solve itself, don't you think? You just demonstrated why.

Just don't hugbox and tell people what they do is great when you honestly think it isn't, because that encourages people not to try harder.

I ain't saying to be mean, but goodness, don't hold back the critique, if people don't like the critique, well, that's their problem, isn't it?

 

[Xyphien]

I've been waiting three days for just a silly wiki page edit to be approved.
But they're lazy. This forum grew into something beyond their comprehension before they knew it was too big to handle on their own.

Hey, I got nothin' against being lazy, but uh--

if you wanna keep people here, you're gonna want to approve em before they've had three days to wonder what's going on, instead of asking you to become super steadfast in an instant, just let the mods have an approval badge as well, I mean, you hired em because you trust em, right?

1. There is no wiki pages awaiting moderation, so that's not on the staff's end at all.

2. Sage has college and lots of personal stuff, as for my... I'm deployed so activity is something I'm blessed to have at all currently. As for the two staff having lots of stuff on our plate we've maintained the site pretty well, we've been slow on some updates, yes, but nothing huge.

So, I'm not too sure what you're trying to get at, at this moment. We agreed on not having moderator approval for this, and we've implemented a rule in response to this already.

@Bizarre Monkey if you'd like to continue this, feel free to send me a PM.

As of now, this topic has been solved, and will be moved to the correct location.