OT: What defines a Fanpost?

A fan post should be more substantial than a fanshot, which is designed for quick hitting ideas/links, etc.

I think Fanposts should be in-depth column-style works that have been well-researched and remain on the side bar for awhile as “highlighted pieces”.

I think Fanshots should just be links to other articles and columns around the interwebs.

But then there should be some sort of forum where people can just ask random question, discuss random topics, that aren’t as fleshed out as Fanposts.

but not necessarily on topic (check out Jeffs awesome Fanpost on his potential Wiffle Ball Stadium, also Beer post)

Though “topic” is a relatively loose term as well considering the cros section of the people that read and post at RR.( YEAH, I know this is a baseball blog, but don’t tell me you don’t like it when Will posts a poem……that keeps me coming back no mater what happens )

I like OT stuff from time to time. The only problem is if you post something that is bordering Fanshot/Fanpost and you default by placing it in Fanshots it gets buried down the page in Fanshot purgatory.

A-Team vs Airwolf-this shit keeps me up at night!

So I really don’t care as long as this doesn’t turn into AP, and from this post and the discussion generated in the OT-Beer thread I doubt highly RR will ever spiral outta control like that.

Therefore, if I don’t like a Fanpost due to some arbitrary structural problem, I don’t rec it. It will get pushed down a bit faster, and no one will be the wiser. It wont be placed in Recommended Fanposts and it wont push down a truly epic Fanpost.

However if something really is wrong Will, or Jeff can do their mod. magic.

I really haven’t been bothered by any kind of posting or people on RR, which for how often I visit/read/comment that is a surprising thing.

In summation; Baseball is what brings me here, the analysis and knowledge from numerous people allows me to learn stuff I didn’t know existed, the OTs/Openthreads keep me here.

Sometimes there’s a ton of stuff going on, including lots of ‘Posts and ’Shots, and OT threads, open-ended discussion topics, etc. are just wastes of space and push more important/Royals-related ’Posts/’Shots down. Then again, there’s periods (off-season, for instance) where a meaningless OT thread doesn’t get in the way and does no harm.

Part of crafting a good post — one which improves the RR experience — is understanding what content you may be moving off the front page. Of course less deference is due to FanShots than FanPosts, but either way, there’s some respect to be shown, and observing that and how to handle it is a matter of experience.

If you have to ask you'll never know.

The difference between a FanShot and a FanPost should be this:

If you actually cared enough about the subject that you sat down and WROTE something of substance, it’s a FanPost. If you cared so little that you can get away with two short paragraphs, it’s a FanShot.

My 2 cents

We (Will and I) have deleted posts that are doubled up. As a whole, everyone does a good job here of deleting doubled up posts.

I wish all news would stay as a FanShot.

Also, Will and I have the ability to keep a post around longer. Let us know if there is one that discussion is still going on with a FanShot or FanPost and we will keep it on the main page until interest declines.