The lights are on
Alright, so that's a little extreme. However, since the new Game Informer site launched back in October, we've seen this "First!" phenom go from sprinkling a few posts to now spamming nearly everything written by both editors and the community. With that said, I have one simple request: knock it off.
Back in 2005 AOL's tech site, Engadget, temporarily disabled their comments section as a result of comment spam. Here's the explanation:
"...we've all gotten a little tired of spending so much time deleting comment spam and dealing with trolls and all that "first post!" crap, so we're switching off comments on new posts for the next day or two while we think about what we're going to do to try and make the comment boards not completely sucky."
This has been a problem that has plagued countless other sites and is essentially annoying the hell out of everyone.
I regularly read comments on my stories and those of other editors to get a feel of what you respond well to, and what you don't. Now whenever I check out our comments section there's a "First!" post with five subsequent posts from that same person, then five more from other users who think the "First!" person is an idiot asking them to cut the crap. Comment sections are supposed to be a forum of meaningful discussion on the topic at hand, and sure at times we joke around a bit, but now it's just turned into a race for the top post. We don't like it. Other community members don't like it. So just do everyone a favor and keep it to a minimum, and by a minimum I mean stop altogether. Modding these comments alone would take way too much time so just stop spamming our comments sections, and comments sections of other sites for that matter. The world will be a better place for it.
Perhaps I'm missing the point here, and Firsties here is your chance to explain why you insist on being the first to comment on a story. Maybe it helps you sleep better at night, I don't know. With that in mind, instead of spamming comments sections, I have created a FORUM with your needs in mind where you can post "First!" to your heart's content. Hell, let's see who will be the lucky Firsty to make the 100th post. "Hundredth!" Now there's something to brag about.
I'm aware that this post has made all future posts bearing my name a target for Firsty fodder. This one included. In fact, Reiner said he'd spam this very post as soon as I publish it. I accept my fate and will be the martyr for comments sections all across the internet.
More importantly, however, I'd like to hear your thoughts. What do you guys think about "First!" posts in comments sections? How do you think the situation should be handled?
Also be aware that our tech-savvy Sean has installed an application through our Web site that will detect a "First!" post and will thereafter cause your computer to self destruct. You've been warned.
I think all blogs should have a "first-sensor", banning the person from the site for five minutes if they write first.
But that could create issues, because some people (myself included, in this very post), use the word first in casual posting.
NVM.
Just include an automatic first comment on all blogs.
SECOND!!!!1111
jk jk
first posts arent that bad. i mean there annoying, but i wouldnt count them as spam. I think as long as the reader posts something relevant, its fine to add a first in there somewhere.
@crash_course
Hilarious.
I say we just start giving out minor bans for first comments. If you're going to post stupid stuff, you can do that somewhere else, and obviously don't need to use your account here.
Most recent! I hate First! I try to think of it as sex, being first is bad.
It is definitely annoying and happening frequently. I think their IP address should be given the ban hammer and maybe they will learn to stop being idiots.
As for the comment you made about posting "100th!," I accept your challenge Ms. Gonzalez and I shall be the 100th poster of this article.
Gah, I hate first comments, they always make sites look unprofessional. And even if you somehow build a sensor that deletes "First!" comments someone will just say "Second!". I wish people would just write meaningful posts.
It's true, don't do it.
Completely agree about this. I cannot wait until mods and staff get the ability to edit comments (or do staff already have that?). Anyway, "first" is something just flat out moronic that needs to stop. Look at sites like Kotaku or IGN. All have intelligent discussion in the comments. Not a first to be seen.
Yeah man, first comments are completely pointless, ESPECIALLY when that is ALL THEY SAY. We can see that you are first. You don't have to tell us. BanHammer to the EXTREEEEME
Swing the banhammer.
Sweep the leg.
Aim for the heaad.
Whatever you do, get those kinda posts outta here- people need to realize being first at everything isn't the best.
It really should result in an instant ban, say 48 hours?
I find it reassuring.
I know that no mater how dumb my post sounds, there's someone acting less intellegent than me.
First posters aren't as bad as the other possibility: Last! Posters. Could you imagine a world in which the articles never died because every 4 seconds a new person posted that?
But I do hate firsters. They make me wade through 8 firsts, 7 seconds, 6 thirds, and so on just to read what I want to read. Oh, and the occasional kid that finds "87th!" clever.
The best course of action would be to simply 'man up' and ignore it. Theyre going to continue to do so regardless. I admit I have done the first thing, but only once on the halo reach hub, and that was because I was brand new here and excited I found that first. NOw if you absolutely need something done, its probably going to have to boil down to the admins. They'd have to monitor the posts and delete all first comments, which is time consuming. extremely timie consuming.Alternately the posters of the forums and whatnot can simply delete the first comments themselves, Ive just come to ignoring them, simplest course of action if you ask me. But naturally some people with fret over this minor problem, so maybe.....a voting system? Say 5 people agree to delete some comment on a thread theyve posted on then it could be deleted, and leave it to the people. I still say ignore them xD because odds are most of us have posted a first at least once, even if it wasnt on here.