What can we do, as Yahoo! Answers Hockey contributors (regular and new), do to make this forum better?

I think folks who are new to this forum bring with them their experiences from other forums. I had to adjust to this place as I'm sure many others had to do. What I see is an attitude of trash talking, internet tough guys, and a general lack of respect for others especially fans of other teams.

What I can do is NOT to feed that "animal" when it comes here. Most animals are attracted to food and lose interest when they realize none is available.

The other element that we have very little control over is Yahoo's policy of moderation. There is no way in the world I can be convinced that the general community is in any way capable of enforcing the rules of conduct on a consistent basis. If that were possible, then all citizens in all countries throughout the world would be allowed to brandish guns and a badge.

The fact that where people can and do walk with weapons and carry out their own law, is indicative of how such a policy gives life to anarchy. I often chastise Yahoo about this but I'm either ignored by them or ostracized by like minded, pie-in-the-sky sympathizers, or both.

I know that the longer tenured a user becomes, the more aligned they become to the mindset that has evolved from basic human respect. That's due in large part to our longevity.

The fact that Yahoo Answers is freely accessible makes it possible for anyone to come here, start some crap and take advantage of the other exploitable features (reporting) to exercise their disdain for others. In other words, if they have no interest in being a part of the community, then they do what they can to fracture the community.

Other factors can have some say in any persons decision to leave. I know from experience that I say that there is nothing more I can get out of this place. But when I stay, or return from some away time, I find it as refreshing as it ever was for the people that I have grown accustomed to.

If someone wants to leave, perhaps that desire began a long time ago and all one needed was the "push" of something negative to throw in the towel. That's understandable. But they always have the option to return.

I'll close with some suggestions that may seem like I'm pointing fingers. The truth is that's the last thing I want to do. I respect 90% of all folks that post here on a regular basis and any critique is of what I see and not of any single person.

1) Treat others as if you are responsible for the site.

2) Be open to guidance and criticism from other tenured users.

3) Understand that some criticism may come out of frustration and that not all people can say what they mean without hurting someone else.

4) Serve the purpose (answering) of any legitimate question before injecting your opinion.

5) Keep your questions hockey related. Stay on topic.

6) Don't bring drama. Take any controversy you have with someone and deal with it via e-mail or IM.

7) Protect the newcomer from repeat abusers.

8) Treat people like they are sitting right next to you, instead of the other end of the line.

9) Understand that we don't have to agree on anything here. We all have our opinions.

10) Don't start trouble in other categories and then bring that trouble back here.

I will post more if they come to me.

Great question Snoop. It's users like yourself that make coming back to this forum again and again that much easier.

I think the only thing we can do is wait for the hockey season to start, because for the past few weeks, it's been only a small group of people, because of the playoffs, and teams being eliminated. Some people don't follow hockey after their team is eliminated. Also people who don't like hockey and just say rude things about it should stop answering questions in this section, since they son't have any appreciation for the sport we love so much. I think another thing that could improve this is, that people don't ask the same questions a hundred times. There were so many questions asking who thought who was going to win the Cup, and who was going to make the playoffs etc, I think that people need to read other people's questions so as not to repeat a question someone already asked. Even though there are some imperfections, this is the best forum, because most people here have a paisson for hockey. Even though having a million of the same questions can be frustrating, I never get tired of talking about hockey!

Let me start by saying that if Joe goes to a bare it all avatar of himself that shows any portion of him below his neck, I will be the next regular to leave and there will be no goodbyes.

Now on to your question. Outside of major changes by Yahoo!, I don't know that there is anything that can be done aside from at an individual level. That means as individuals, we each need to make a decision to come here, act intelligently, show respect and class towards each other. As with any public forum, it is also going to attract people who arrive with the sole intention of trying to irritate and annoy. While the people who are coming here to enjoy forums such as this for their purpose, the latter group come here because that is what they enjoy. The way that Yahoo! has structured this, you don't even need a group of people to harass or attack someone to the point of getting their Yahoo! account suspended. If I were to ever get suspended, it would be a major headache for me regarding my email.

Personally, I don't see why the second group find entertainment in this. I find it rather pathetic to be honest. I cannot blame guys like Bob, LITY and NIPS for bailing out of here. There was a time when it would take me all night to get through two pages of questions that had been posted while I was away. Now, I go through the 3 or 4 pages that were asked and answer 5 or 6 that I think deserve answers simply because the quality is not there any more. I never viewed answering solid questions as a waste of my time. I do however view browsing questions looking for something worth answering a waste of time.

What is taking place here in the hockey section is a cycle. The playoffs attract more casual hockey fans, usually fans of the teams involved late in the playoffs. My expectation is that the cycle will run it's course and things will begin to improve. I would have prefered to see guys like LITY, Bob and Nips just take a break and come back. Like I said, I cannot blame them if they don't. This latest cycle has been far worse than any of the others I have seen in the past.

Actually I disagree with J.O I started answering almost a year ago (I think?) maybe a little less. (EDIT: I just read all of JO's answer, and I agree with all but the first few lines...thumbs up)As I recall in the summer and right before the season started there was a lot of ridiculousness...and once the season got underway we only seemed to have issues with a few posters.

I was just starting to feel like a regular this winter...then I got really busy with work and I've been out of the loop for months. Coming back a few weeks ago, I noticed the watered down content. I figured it was just the season winding down.

As far as content goes, I usually skim the first few pages of posts and answer the questions that peak my interest or that I feel knowledgeable enough to answer. I ignore a lot of the fluff and "who will win" questions (I am guilty of asking one of those).

Maybe the key to cleaning up the board is to stop answering the off the wall questions that aren't related to hockey, or the multiple re-peat questions just for the points. Hopefully those posters will just go away, when they realize we've got nothing for them.

I used to find a couple questions I wanted to answer on the first page when ever I signed on...now I find myself hitting next, more and more.

Well I can see where a few things would work.

1) We need to understand the difference between the newcomers who are actually here to learn about the game and those who just want to start s**t.

2) Avoid arguments. Or at least keep our arguments on topic and to the point. It's one thing to correct an erroneous statement and quite another to call someone stupid for expressing a valid opinion.

3) Freeze out the trolls.

4) Do what you do best. If you're not a fact and stat guy, don't try to be the next LITY.

5) Get Snoop to come up with more of his thought provoking questions.

A number of people have the right idea. I've always wondered why the trolls and idiots seem to get the most answers sometimes. That's exactly what they want! The best thing we can do to get rid of them is to ignore them. They're just trying to tweak your nose.

Avoid the arguments and name calling. I mean, I'm not suggesting we should be all sweetness and light, this is the HOCKEY section after all, not Badminton or (dare I say it) Golf.

But by getting in to it w/ trolls and morons just brings you down to their level and adds fuel to the fires. We need more real Hockey questions and to avoid all those repetitive "who will win" and "who is better", or "isn't (insert name) cute", etc., etc. Just ignore them and they will go away. There's nothing more deflating than asking a question and no one answers.

I think the best way is to focus on what this section was originally intended for: Hockey.

Let's talk about the draft! Let's talk about free agency! Let's talk about the rumors buzzing about!

At the same time, lets not fall bait to what has hurt this section. With the NHL season over, a lot of useless questions will disappear as the journeyman user heads off to other sport sections to ask their prediction/favorite player/and bf questions (i'm guessing the basketball section must be getting a daily dose of "Will the Lakers win game 2?" questions!!)

Let's just keep this section fun. Let's keep it clean from all the drama, immaturity, and childish behaviour that has run rampant in the past months. Doesn't matter if you're new or old, this is a welcome community that just wants everyone to enjoy a sport we all love.

Thanks for stopping by Snoop. I know things were difficult for you during the season with family matters, but its always a welcome sight when you show up and bring along your hockey questions/answers to share with us.

Face it, you have die hard fans almost coming thru their monitors wanting to rip heads off! it's just like the game, fierce and intense. Your gonna find this at playoff team when everyone wants to show/prove who is right and who is gonna win. Simple as that. Then theres puckbunnies and such. What would you expect?

I have personally benn attacked and brush it off, for the most part. I will stand up and argue etc to those that don't know what they are talking about if they want to attck me, otherwise I am an obssessed and paasionate fan of the greatest game on earth! Take it or leave it!!

i have offended some and have also APOLOGIZED to those I felt worthy. Sorry to all, I am intense when it comes to certain things, especailly my Detroit Red Wings. I have also suggested that some not take things so serious as well.

ur totally right. ive been getting kinda bored here, but i cant leave for too long! (like heavysoviet said)

this section's been taking some invasions from baseball and basketball ppl.

we need...

... to tell everone NOT to invade other sections, as they will eventually stop invading ours.

... the top contributors to ask more questions. they got the good ones.

... more newcomers to hockey so that they ask good questions that actually relate to hockey. regulars tend to ask wierd questions. we cant really do much about this though. just a thought.

... to get the old top contributors their badges back! what happened to Mike's, Freckles', and Teal Town's?

thought of some more:

whenever u see a good Q (like this) put the link in ur answers to other Qs so more ppl can answer the good questions.

Since its summer, we should all go to an oceanside resport, stay by the water and wait for the flotsum and jetsum to rise to the top and be brought to fizzle out on the shore. That was my attempt at proverb. I think, as time passes in the off season, the DDDs will start to be weeded out. I do think we need to be cognizant of the difference between a newbie looking to learn, and some tardie who got lost.

I also highly encourage people who type in the phrase "Lil Wayne" to make sure they're asking about the vertically challenged version of the great one, as opposed to a no talent rapper.