Open forum for discussion of what does and does not belong in the pre-dental forum

[armorshell]

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I definitely think it's something that needs to be discussed, as the current policy is clearly not favorable. This is a forum for pre-dents, yes, but why does that necessarily mean only topics related to pre-dental studies.

This is a community that is not only going through an incredibly stressful process, but most of us have no one close to us who really understand it. Many of us will be spending our next four years together, and we want to go deep, get to know each other beyond our dat scores and GPAs.

The Drs. Lounge is not a suitable alternative. It's a spam fest for random images and ridiculous topics, not unlike 4chan or genmay.net, not to mention that it's frequented by the whole of SDN. Trying to get through to pre-dents in that sub-forum would be effectively impossible.

So from my point of view, we as a community have a few options: relax the current, seemingly random closing of off-topic threads (it's clear that some off-topics remain. Why? Who knows besides the mods?) or spawn an off-topic sub-forum under the Dental Forums.

Right now we're on the edge of losing some of the forums most prolific members (IHD, Tri-D, myself 😳 ) to ease the confusion of a few new members who don't understand how to use the search feature, and relentless spam the same questions over and over again. I really like this forum, I like the members, and I like learning about my future classmates and coworkers, even their random car fetishes and dating desires. Let’s discuss this problem.

 

[kappa505]

Why Indeed?

 

[in her drawer]

The Drs. Lounge is not a suitable alternative. It's a spam fest for random images and ridiculous topics, not unlike 4chan or genmay.net, not to mention that it's frequented by the whole of SDN. Trying to get through to pre-dents in that sub-forum would be effectively impossible.

lol, let's make a newer, better /b/. 😎

 

[dentstd]

why are classes do damn long? geez! 8-5?!?!!?! wtf?!?!?

Is IHD, the former SDN angel, now SDN's newest badass?

 

[superfinger45]

I agree, this forum should NOT send people like us to the "back of the bus" they should let us enjoy ourselves and only enforce when people are obviously spamming or trying to attack others. Well said armor, well said!

 

[armorshell]

I agree, this forum should NOT send people like us to the "back of the bus" they should let us enjoy ourselves and only enforce when people are obviously spamming or trying to attack others. Well said armor, well said!

My point exactly, I do think an "off-topic" sub-forum under the "dental" forums would be the best alternative, but I don't see what the problem is with having off-topics in the pre-dent forum, especially considering most of the information any new member needs is stickied or can be easily searched for AND the SDN wikis are coming around.

 

[dentstd]

My point exactly, I do think an "off-topic" sub-forum under the "dental" forums would be the best alternative, but I don't see what the problem is with having off-topics in the pre-dent forum, especially considering most of the information any new member needs is stickied or can be easily searched for AND the SDN wikis are coming around.

yea, but don't title it that! Title it something legit, then hijack it! but every once in a while, keep bringing it back to dental (keep it 5% predental)

 

[laelialudisia]

i agree 100% with what armorshell said. i think the only suitable solution is to have a sub-forum that is for off-topic dental and predental students. i do not enjoy the majority of members in the drs. lounge and therefore will not be part of the discussions going on in there.

i too think it is ridiculous to limit our discussions to dental related things---operationally define "dental related". does the word dental have to be in the title, thread, etc. i too don't understand why some threads remain open while others are closed, but i also am concerned about rocking the boat and having ANY and ALL off-topic threads closed.

 

[in her drawer]

i too think it is ridiculous to limit our discussions to dental related things---operationally define "dental related". does the word dental have to be in the title, thread, etc. i too don't understand why some threads remain open while others are closed, but i also am concerned about rocking the boat and having ANY and ALL off-topic threads closed.

As near as I can tell, neither of the listed mods for this forum have been doing the closing. Obviously, Gavin has a right since he's an admin, but I don't think other mods should be modding where they don't belong.

 

[laelialudisia]

i also find it annoying that new members seem to be unable to use the search function 😡. i can't decide if i should ignore them in the hopes that if nobody responds (which i doubt will happen) that they will discover the search function, or just take pity on them and continue to answer the same d*mn ? a zillion times.

 

[laelialudisia]

As near as I can tell, neither of the listed mods for this forum have been doing the closing. Obviously, Gavin has a right since he's an admin, but I don't think other mods should be modding where they don't belong.

i was unaware this was going on, and i agree, it does not seem right for mods who are not assigned to this board to be doing whatever they like and randomly choosing what remains open and what gets closed.

 

[kappa505]

It does not matter if they close off topic threads because people will just keep starting new ones. They cant stop the progress.

 

[superfinger45]

dentstd, you and I have exactly the same number of posts...wait...now I'm one up on you!

I hope the mods don't take this the wrong way...but they need to chill out a bit sometimes...there has rarely ever been something on here that really warrants a moderator i.e. racism,spamming, unauthorized advertising, things that take away from the ambiance(spelling) of the forum, if people are engaged in a good convo. then they should leave it at that...even if it is about cars, whatever. Like armor said were all going through the same stuff right now that others don't get, not family or friends who aren't applying...so this should be a place where we not only come to find out "when the best time to send in your app. is" but to kill some time and get to know our future colleagues.

 

[laelialudisia]

It does not matter if they close off topic threads because people will just keep starting new ones. They cant stop the progress.

no but they can kick us off the boards. my name will probably be in red tomorrow too!!! then i can color coordinate with SF45 and IHD 😛

 

[superfinger45]

no but they can kick us off the boards. my name will probably be in red tomorrow too!!! then i can color coordinate with SF45 and IHD 😛

You'll be welcomed with open arms!!

 

[kappa505]

no but they can kick us off the boards. my name will probably be in red tomorrow too!!! then i can color coordinate with SF45 and IHD 😛

Then you can just create a new account, until you get off red, or use both to argue with yourself.

 

[in her drawer]

Then you can just create a new account, until you get off red, or use both to argue with yourself.

I have only one account, kappa.

 

[kappa505]

I have only one account, kappa.

But you can make another one👍

 

[laelialudisia]

Then you can just create a new account, until you get off red, or use both to argue with yourself.

1) that is ridiculous---we should be able to come to a solution w/o ppl having to create new accounts. that just means the problem continues indefinitely

2) isn't there a way for the mods to figure out that you are another user---not too good with computer related things, but i thought they were able to tell where you were logging in from or something like that.

 

[superfinger45]

1) that is ridiculous---we should be able to come to a solution w/o ppl having to create new accounts. that just means the problem continues indefinitely

2) isn't there a way for the mods to figure out that you are another user---not too good with computer related things, but i thought they were able to tell where you were logging in from or something like that.

They can track your isp address...don't ask me how I know that...

 

[laelialudisia]

where the heck is armorshell in this discussion he started? did he leave to get a beer or something?

 

[superfinger45]

Listening...nothing can get done without good listeners

 

[armorshell]

where the heck is armorshell in this discussion he started? did he leave to get a beer or something?

I'm here for a little longer, haven't had much more to say then what I already did. It's clear that the majority wants less moderation, and I'm eager to see how the powers-that-be handle that, and this thread.

 

[laelialudisia]

They can track your isp address...don't ask me how I know that...

yeah, that's what i thought. anyway, i think we should avoid the idea of just creating new accounts and coming back on b/c first, that will piss off the mods and then they won't be as open-minded to this discussion and second, it doesn't really get us anywhere

 

[kappa505]

I recieve about 5 unsecured wireless signals. Each would have its own unique ISP right? I think it would be feasable to have more than one account. Besides, what does it matter if it goes on forever if we all get into school this cycle.

 

[armorshell]

1) that is ridiculous---we should be able to come to a solution w/o ppl having to create new accounts. that just means the problem continues indefinitely

2) isn't there a way for the mods to figure out that you are another user---not too good with computer related things, but i thought they were able to tell where you were logging in from or something like that.

I don't think that's going to be necessary, hopefully in the course of this discussion we'll get some of these red people un-redded, considering they haven't really done anything wrong, and they definately didn't violate any of the TOS.

 

[superfinger45]

I agree, I don't want more than one account, I just want to post reasonable things here

 

[laelialudisia]

I recieve about 5 unsecured wireless signals. Each would have its own unique ISP right? I think it would be feasable to have more than one account. Besides, what does it matter if it goes on forever if we all get into school this cycle.

so, you aren't planning to post after you start school? i don't know if i will or not, but i think there is a larger issue at hand here for ourselves as well as future predents.

 

[superfinger45]

I don't think that's going to be necessary, hopefully in the course of this discussion we'll get some of these red people un-redded, considering they haven't really done anything wrong, and they definately didn't violate any of the TOS.

"CLAP CLAP CLAP...(standing) CLAP CLAP CLAP"

 

[kappa505]

so, you aren't planning to post after you start school? i don't know if i will or not, but i think there is a larger issue at hand here for ourselves as well as future predents.

No, I think I will be drinking in the sweet smell of halitosis and tooth decay.

 

[laelialudisia]

No, I think I will be drinking in the sweet smell of halitosis and tooth decay.

yummy

 

[cdmOMR]

I really dont see why they are against making a dental off-topic subforum. If they do everyones happy.... its a win win situation. But I bet this will get the same response from the admins "If you want to post off-topic things you can post it in the Dr.'s Lounge. Im closing this thread." Its like they dont even read our requests.

And if they would read a lot of the people who are asking for this are people who donated money to the website including myself, and I think our opinion should be at least heard and not just blown off like a letter to your state legislature.

 

[armorshell]

so, you aren't planning to post after you start school? i don't know if i will or not, but i think there is a larger issue at hand here for ourselves as well as future predents.

I don't know about after school starts, but what if I put down a deposit at a school I'm accepted to and want to discuss random things with my future classmates? What if I want to find a roommate, or discuss things to do around school, etc...

All non-predental related, all very important.

 

[laelialudisia]

I don't know about after school starts, but what if I put down a deposit at a school I'm accepted to and want to discuss random things with my future classmates? What if I want to find a roommate, or discuss things to do around school, etc...

All non-predental related, all very important.

agreed, we should be able to discuss these things

 

[pacbum]

as long as posting doesn't hurt anyone, they moderator's shouldn't care.

it's a social thing , and clearly, dentistry is a social career, why not give us all the chance just to talk?

ya, i prefer this to the dr. lounge too.

 

[kappa505]

as long as posting doesn't hurt anyone, they moderator's shouldn't care.

it's a social thing , and clearly, dentistry is a social career, why not give us all the chance just to talk?

ya, i prefer this to the dr. lounge too.

Yo Tambien.

 

[laelialudisia]

agreed as well!!!

 

[Envision]

Although i am apathetic on this subject, i dislike the turmoil and conflicting atmosphere on the predental thread nowadays. thus, i will present my view point. the mods close down "useless" threads because they are trying to preserve the informative value of SDN. we constantly preach how SDN becomes primarily useless because after some time we gain all the insight and knowledge these forums have to offer. however, lets not forget that there are new predents who will look onto these forums to find the exact information we seeked at the beginning of this cycle. if on first sight, most of these threads are all cliq-like and primarily "useless" (or irrelevent to dentistry), then what good would it do to them. i know not every thread is like that, but if the mods did not regulate, maybe us frequent users will dominate the threads with our own leisure topics. also, lets give the "noobs" a break, we were all noobs once we all asked the same questions. by now, we should understand that the same questions will be discussed every year, so lets not attack the unknowing. Please remember SDN is an invaluable predental resourse, and it does not belong to us, even cool people like amor, D3 and IHD, but it belongs to all prospective predents. i myself started here when i decided on dentistry. so lets contribute to the greater good and all take a step back and give the mods a break, k guys? my 2cent.

 

[armorshell]

But what about the numerous stickied threads on the front page specifiaclly for new members? What about the search function? What about making a off-topic sub-forum specific to pre-dents and dental students?

As it stands, very few threads in the pre-dental forum are actually providing novel information that couldn't simply be searched for.

 

[superfinger45]

But what about the numerous stickied threads on the front page specifiaclly for new members? What about the search function? What about making a off-topic sub-forum specific to pre-dents and dental students?

As it stands, very few threads in the pre-dental forum are actually providing novel information that couldn't simply be searched for.

EXACTLY

 

[in her drawer]

But what about the numerous stickied threads on the front page specifiaclly for new members? What about the search function? What about making a off-topic sub-forum specific to pre-dents and dental students?

As it stands, very few threads in the pre-dental forum are actually providing novel information that couldn't simply be searched for.

Language warning.

 

[prez_al]

I agree with Envision... if I was a noob, I definitely would want to read up threads that aren't filled with spam. And if I was a noob, I wouldn't know how to search for things.

 

[armorshell]

But if you guys were "noobs" a few off-topics wouldn'tstop you from finding the information you need, considering most of it is stickied right at the top of the forum, with the FAQ that explains the search feature, or you could simply ignore all that and post it (which is what they do now).

Having off-topics doesn't change anything for the worse, not having them stunts some potentially stimulating conversation.

 

[prez_al]

But if you guys were "noobs" a few off-topics wouldn'tstop you from finding the information you need, considering most of it is stickied right at the top of the forum, with the FAQ that explains the search feature, or you could simply ignore all that and post it (which is what they do now).

Having off-topics doesn't change anything for the worse, not having them stunts some potentially stimulating conversation.

Depends on what you find as an interesting "off" topic. Stuff like cars is aite, the dating thread was borderline (really should be put in Drs. Lounge) but not stuff like... "its cool to be put on SDN probation"

 

[armorshell]

I see your point, which is the reason I believe it's favorable to open an 'off-topic' sub-forum for pre-dents, or possibly to revise the TOS to be more specific on what is and isn't allowed

 

[prez_al]

You have a point armor, but then the pre-allos might want their own off-topic area as well... unless they just take over Drs. Lounge

Creation of ddslounge???

 

[Envision]

bump

 

[Envision]

But if you guys were "noobs" a few off-topics wouldn'tstop you from finding the information you need, considering most of it is stickied right at the top of the forum, with the FAQ that explains the search feature, or you could simply ignore all that and post it (which is what they do now).

Having off-topics doesn't change anything for the worse, not having them stunts some potentially stimulating conversation.

It is a few, and as it stands there is still a few. the mods closed down only a few. its because of this balance that there is only a "few" off topic threads. if there was no regulation, then a few may become a dozen...we all know how fast trends and ideas can inspire many new threads. stimulating conversations such as affirmative action, opinons on specialties are, i believe, highly encouraged. stimulating conversation on cars could probably be done else where. again, im not advocating against off topic forums, i do however suggest us frequent users to not forget the purpose of SDN. if a question thats asked a million times is asked again by a noob, then answer it or don't. Amor, you have over 1k post, and i guarantee you some of the questions you posted have been asked before. if all predental questions should not be addressed in a new thread yet searched, then SDN will serve no other purpose but to faciliate off topic threads (since nearly every question has been asked over annd over again). perhaps it is time for us to move on.

ps: I have posted on these forums for a while and i respect all of you very much. having said that, i think the mods are doing their jobs to the best of their abilities so lets cut them some slack.

 

[4thQtrDreams]

I think a big problem is that if someone stumbles across SDN and is reading the forums but wants to look for some answer to basic questions they are FORCED to sign up in order to even use the search function. and I think the first thing they make you do is post a "intro" post... naturally the next thing a noob does is post his question in a new thread, as he has already forgotten all about searching...

I think if they allowed anyone to search, with or without an SDN account, the number of noob-type threads would dwindle..

 

[1992Corolla]

You have a point armor, but then the pre-allos might want their own off-topic area as well... unless they just take over Drs. Lounge

Creation of ddslounge???

why just a forum for the two year hygiene program?

Call it dmdlounge.

Or you could visit a forum that I am not allowed to speak of but is clearly posted somewhere in this thread.