Guides sections improvements

Considering how much crap has been posted about the guides section, I am going to bring in all the ideas being thrown about that seem logical. It is obvious that the guides section is awful in its current state, there are ripped guides, guides that don't work, and the section is often used by scammers looking to make a quick buck. Here are some possibilities that could be done.

#1 Leave the section as it is, yet have the market sectionals take a more active part in verifying guides. Mods can charge a small fee for verifying a guide, and be paid the fee upfront, and keep the fee regardless of whether the guide gains verified status. This would decrease the amount of idiot members and scammers trying to get their POS/ripped/not working guide verified, because they know they would simply be loosing money and it wouldn't be verified. This method would compensate the mods, as well as decrease the number of low quality guides in the section.


#2 Break the section down into two subsections, verified and unverified. This has been implemented successfully on many other sites, and I think it would do well here. A member who wishes to sell a guide would first post the guide in the unverified section, then request a mod to verify it. Again, I support the mods charging a small fee for their time and effort.

After being verified, the guide is moved into the correct section. On tweak to this could be that the guides in the unverified section are NOT allowed to sell their guide until they have verified it, and attempting to do so could result in a multi point infraction or temp ban. This would reduce the amount of people trying to scam and sell crap guides, compensate the mods, and allow Sythe users to more confidently purchase a working guide.


#3 Implement specific "guide verifiers" in addition to mods. There are Sythe recognized Xbox verifiers, why not have guide ones? These people could assist the mods in verifying guides (both mods and these verifiers could receive a fee for doing so). This option could be implemented with either one of the 2 above options. Lastly, if it were implemented, simply list the Sythe official guide verifiers in a sticky in the section so users can know who to speak with.


#4 Spyike posted this one in a different thread. Basically keep the section as it is, but do not allow users to sell their guides until it is verified. This is basically a similar idea to #2, the only difference being there are 2 subsections for the guides.

Spyike's other suggestion which I liked was the idea of requiring a time limit on Sythe before being able to post your guide, for example must have been a member for X weeks before being able to attempt to sell a guide. This would prevent your common leeching scammers from making a new account, scamming with their guide, then coming back and doing it the next day.


Please, post only constructive criticisms and opinions in this thread, leave flaming and other nonsense about how fail the staff is at guides and other BS elsewhere please. Thanks.

 

I like the idea of 2 subsections, for verified and unverified guides. Im not sure about mods charging for their services, as they are moderators for helping out the community, not for their own profits.
The idea of being a member for certain period of time and only then being to able to create guides would be unfair to the new members. I agree that most new members who sell guides are scammers, but not all. Nevertheless, you have some good ideas and changes are needed in the guide section.

 

Implementing method #2 would negate the need for a time requirement for new members, I personally would go with that option myself.

 

I think both splitting it and appointing a team of guide verifiers would help. We're also working on a method to prevent reselling of guides. I think what we've figured will work nearly 100%.

 

That sounds like the best option. I still don't support moderators being payed for their help, but a guide verifying team would be useful.

 

I like #2 and #3 the best.
I think the guide verifiers would have to fill out an application of some sort.

 

I agree, an application could be used with the verifiers and could be voted on in the SL.

 

And a minimum of X guides per week or month to stay on the team.

 

To be honest, I dont see why something like this is tasked out to the UE team, as I know there are at least 3-4 of us who could, and would, be willing to verofy things like this.

 

UE is not related to Runescape, the guides are, and requires people to stay informed and active on that front.
But if any of the UE's think they are that, I'm sure we'd be accepted/appointed.

 

I like idea #2. Dividing into verified/unverified would be nice.

Once a guide is verified I have no problem buying it.

 

Well you, myself, Luke, Necro, Rhodesy, and Feren all are familiar with RS. Im pretty sure all the UE's would welcome the chance to have a greater participation in the market sales section.

 

I like the idea of two subsections, would get rid of a lot of hassle and stress.

 

I like idea #2. Dividing into verified/unverified would be nice.

That is a great idea, hopefully that's implemented.


#3 Implement specific "guide verifiers" in addition to mods.

Also a great idea

We should implement both, it will save time and people selling pointless guides.

 

And me.

I already suggested this and my suggestion isn't even in the suggestions section yet.

If we can have Xbox lobby verifiers, why not more RS guide verifiers?

 

Sorry, no support for UEs doing reviews.

 

Any chance you can justify your reasoning rather than simply posting a borderline spam comment? I dont really expect it to happen, but I dont see why it would be an issue. Additionally any thoughts on the other suggestions?

 

Same. User Educators are there to educate us about things NOT related to Runescape. Same goes with OMMs.

The mods/admins need to hand select a few trusted members here in the community who would volunteer and verify guides.

 

I think both ideas are good, except number two wouldn't be good for a guide that does not last long (example being the warriors guild dupe). If no one bothers to attempt to verify the person might not get a chance to sell his/her guide. That being said if a team was added to help then im sure this would not be a problem.

 

Yeah, I believe stepping up in this category is needed.​

Verified and unverified, I don't see why not. It would make sense.
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Yeah, this could go along with #1, I believe this would be a helpful tool.​

This might actually be a better idea, verification is pretty big.​

Just my thoughts.​