I'll just put this in a Q and A format as per the sticky, to make it simple and to the point, and cover all areas.

What is your idea?

The idea is to moderate the streets forum more strictly. 

In a marco/larger community sense it would mean moving threads to the OOC section that either start out already being out of character (haven't yet seen this happen, yet a thread in OOC has been moved to outside section promptly enough), or when they continue to flow in that direction.

In a micro/individual player sense it would mean warning individuals who go out of character in a streets thread/topic via a forum function which shows up beneath the post (like sponsoring an idea, for example). An MM (mob mail) would also accompany the warning, and within that MM it would a) a reason for said warning and b) links to threads for helping people better role-play.

In the micro/individual sense it would also mean after so many warnings there would be a jail sentence, as obviously, they aren't following the rules (if it is to be implemented).

Has your idea already been suggested in some form or another before?

I searched back 20 pages, one by one, which took me to April 13 (over a year) and couldn't find a related thread. If anything further back has been suggested, then a year on I feel it should be back in admins minds for a new suggestion.

What does your idea entail?

Implementing a warning thingy on the forums, having admin moderate all street threads to make sure OOC goes to OOC. Moving said threads to OOC if necessary. Warning individuals if necessary. Auto MM explaining warning, and directing to threads for learning and growing in role-playing.

How can your idea be successfully implemented into the game as it stands?

Not sure about coding etc, yet you guys are magicians in that area and I've seen a similar things with the sponsoring of a post, so I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to integrate (hoping). Other than that, schooling the current admin team on the new process so they all know what is expected.

What major changes would be needed to make your idea work?

Nothing major, just more moderation and the warning system to be implemented, and an auto MM setup to accompany said warning.

What is the positive impact of your idea?

In my opinion it would be positive in that the streets would be less littered with non role players, giving this section of the forums it's true birth right, to be for role playing and role players.

It would be positive in that we would have more people making a greater effort to role play, if they do want their names seen in the streets of MR and amongst the social elite.

It would be positive in that it would also teach the newer players, in a round about way (sometimes a steady hand is needed lol) to role-play. A warning with a note from said admin member advising them of the error, and the automatic MM would direct said newer player to the appropriate sticky thread/s on how to better role-play and the purpose of the streets forum.

It would, again in my opinion, promote better role-play standards and help individuals grow, evolve, and better add to this part of MR.

It would, in effect, promote and push more role-play on the forums overall.

What is the negative impact of your idea?

If any, it may be people complaining about their posts as being role-play worthy, yet a set number of warnings before jail time would mean the said offender would have enough opportunity show they can role-play, and if they are getting consistent warnings then obviously, their standards aren't in line with the forums.

It will also create debate about what is role-play worthy, and what isn't. Which, although ruffling some feathers, will allow the userbase as a whole to come to some kind of better understanding, through said debate (in OOC forum of course! :)) of what role-play is all about.

It will also ruffle the current userbase, in the sense that the standards as they are, in the street threads where people just become themselves, and not their characters (see examples of Sentinel topic here: http://mafiareturns.com/comm/thread/493378#85498812 and also the Gale Street Gang topic here: http://mafiareturns.com/comm/thread/491378#92111565 and also here: http://mafiareturns.com/comm/thread/492819#9247841).

It may even have some topics without as many posts, which in a way is negative to those who would otherwise receive XP from said posts.

How may your idea affect the rest of the userbase?

I can't see it affecting the rest of the userbase in another other way than, ultimately, positive. I see it affecting others in the sense we will have those that don't RP effectively warned, and in turn, helped to grow as better role-players.

I see it affecting the userbase positively for those that want more role-play worthy players, as people will inevitably pick up their game. I also see it affecting those more casual players positively also, as it will give them a better idea on what role-playing is, and if they want to be seen in the streets, they will need to really learn how to role-play.

Can you rant a little besides the questions we ask of you?

Fuck yeah I can, yet I'll try keep it together :)

In summary, the street standards in terms of role-play can be seen in some posts as really good and they are really great reads, yet there are also the minor few who may become a little too personal in the streets in the heat of the moment. This leads to back and forth personal digs, which has no place in the streets.

The streets are for being in a character, not for personal shit to be vented. It's for being creative and writing something that adds value to the role-play scene, not to take away from it.

Threads stay in the streets that have no purpose being there. Posts aren't currently dealt with that have no place being in role-play threads, and this cogs them up for those that would otherwise want to role-play themselves in, and add further value to that post, not distract it from it's original intent.

People are more than welcome to take shit personal, and vent, and rage, and carry on. This, though, is called being out-of-character. And there is a specific forum for such posts.

The new people, the casual gamers, ones that really don't know what role-playing is all about are truly missing out. There is a gap between people that do role-play, and those that don't. This, is, from my understanding, a role-play orientated game. It's advertised as such. Standards need to be lifted, or, people will keep complaining and admin will have to keep reading said complaints.

Let's get this shit passed through MR legislation, and start lifting the Streets standards, and keep a better handle on this section, in a positive and helpful way. Who knows, role-play may just be all the rage at some point, and people may enjoy it more than ranking or wacking.