Also, I've swapped the locations of the "page layout" and "elevator pitch" sections, since… that's how it was meant to be set up from the beginning.

Not a moment too soon… we're getting absolutely flooded with new applications.

If reviewers tell someone that their premise would be more workable if a different approach is used, it's not difficult for the author to change that section. If authors really want to stick to the genre because they like it, that's their prerogative.

I still feel like misunderstanding would be more likely to occur with this, but honestly I am fine not arguing this. We will know for sure if it starts happening, and can easily change it.

It helps reviewers see at a glance if they'd be interested in reviewing something when looking at multiple threads. It can also help match authors to reviewers.

It's possible I might just have a skewed perception of this. I generally don't care about genre. But I can see how that would help users that do prefer specific genres for critiquing.

Coldposts are actually much easier to deal with. They don't look great on the site, but they are quickly cleared, whereas forum threads linger and generate clutter.

I guess I might overestimate how annoying it is to deal with coldposts.

I'll be honest—this is entirely untrue. If you look at the rate of new threads created every week, we're consistently topping 250 whereas in previous weeks we were under 200. Threads are falling unanswered to pages 4 and 5 on the same day they were posted.

Huh, it might just be that I look at the forum enough that I never really noticed the changes.

Either way though, I think we should at least monitor this to see the effectiveness it has. I could definitely be wrong, so we will see.

I could see having to put down genre causing some people to think they can only stick to that genre for the idea

If reviewers tell someone that their premise would be more workable if a different approach is used, it's not difficult for the author to change that section. If authors really want to stick to the genre because they like it, that's their prerogative.

Overall it just feels a little unnecessary to me to force something like genre in.

It helps reviewers see at a glance if they'd be interested in reviewing something when looking at multiple threads. It can also help match authors to reviewers.

we only going to staffpost on them, or are staff going to lock every thread that doesn't comply?

Only staffpost, no need to lock. There's already a copy-paste template on the References page, linked above.

I feel like the extra complication (and I understand it is very basic. It just doesn't seem like it would look that way to a new user) will only cause more coldposts.

Coldposts are actually much easier to deal with. They don't look great on the site, but they are quickly cleared, whereas forum threads linger and generate clutter.

It doesn't seem to be at a rate that is worse than previously.

I'll be honest—this is entirely untrue. If you look at the rate of new threads created every week, we're consistently topping 250 whereas in previous weeks we were under 200. Threads are falling unanswered to pages 4 and 5 on the same day they were posted.

It is true that I haven't really been able to do as much as previously due to IRL commitments, so I might not understand the forum as well as I did previously; however when it comes to the I&B forum at least, I feel fairly confident in my understanding of it. This currently feels like it could end up causing quite a few more headaches for staff. Though I guess we can see.

So… after a fair bit of discussion with reviewers, and thanks to TheMightyMcB for spearheading the process, a new set of forum requirements has been implemented for the Ideas Critique forum: http://www.scp-wiki.net/forum/t-13095662/required-reading:how-to-use-this-forum-ideas

Basically, we are:

• requiring a template for concept critique requests, to make authors more aware of the nuances of quality writing on the site, and make it less of a strain for reviewers to dig through a post for the basics
• cutting the maximum summary wordcount from 500 words to 400.
• restricting users to a limit of posting 2 new concept critique threads per week (7 day timeframe)

Staff, the new reference copypasta are being added here: http://05command.wikidot.com/forum-crit-reference

For convenience when checking wordcount, the titles of the ending portions of the template are 10 words total. (Take the wordcount of the text of those sections, subtract 10). We can be lenient if something is 405 words or the like, but more than 15 words or so over is pushing it.

Will continue to update as the change is implemented. Given the recent flooding of the forums and frustration and burnout from reviewers, this is long overdue.

We will also be implementing an auto-defer process for the Ideas Critique forum, similar to the drafts forum to hopefully indicate to authors what the basic threshold of quality concept writing is, as well as direct reviewer attention to concepts that are more likely to survive the mainsite. Stay tuned for more updates.