Getting more members here...what you can do.

**Marc** · 02-08-2004, 02:36 PM

Nox,

I appreciate your opinion and taking the time to offer up input. It is a difficult thing to do something about. When a post is intended for nothing more than a personal insult/attack I highly suggest that someone report the post so one of us can take appropriate action.

When a post is of that nature it ceases to be about the free exchange of ideas and instead ends up being nothing more than an exchange that can take place in the playground between children. We are all for the most part adults and should act like it. People that do engage in such activities do much more harm to themselves and their reputation here than they do to the person they are attempting to insult.

I admit I don't have a chance to read every post that is posted so I encourage anyone and everyone to notify us if there is a post that is nothing more than a personal insult/attack.

Thank you for your input; it is appreciated.

**Nox** · 02-08-2004, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Marc

Nox,

I appreciate your opinion and taking the time to offer up input.

You are welcome.

I know that you haven't asked for additional input ... but I shall offer my input anyway ... do with it as you will.

One of the board rules is no insults (my paraphrasing).

Nox has just called User X and unmitigated moron. Either Admin or the Mod (normally the mod does it) uses the edit function to either totally delete the entire post (not the best option - screams of censorship usually follow), or edit out the offending words (unmitigated moron). The latter is normally the better choice. Additionally, the Admin/mod will add a small note of warning to the offender that Board rules have been violated and a recurrance of this type behavior will result in more severe consequences (you can decide what those might be). This eliminates the validity of a censorship scream (not that it won't happen anyway) - any semi-objective board member can instantly see what's happening.

Originally Posted by Marc

When a post is intended for nothing more than a personal insult/attack I highly suggest that someone report the post so one of us can take appropriate action.

This will seldom happen. As you point out ... there are adults here. None of us are really interested in running to Daddy because our feelings got hurted.

Originally Posted by Marc

People that do engage in such activities do much more harm to themselves and their reputation here than they do to the person they are attempting to insult.

True. But what we are talking about here is not your established members ... but newbies. You get the troll pouncing on some new kid, and that kid is history.

Originally Posted by Marc

I admit I don't have a chance to read every post that is posted so I encourage anyone and everyone to notify us if there is a post that is nothing more than a personal insult/attack.

*In a Freddy Prinz voice* "It's not your yob mon."

You have moderators for the forums ... that is part of their "yob". However, this is not a massive task. Spank the troll a couple times and they normally shape up.

Originally Posted by Marc

Thank you for your input; it is appreciated.

I know this was for the first post ... I hope I haven't offended by round two.

Nox

**WFCY** · 02-08-2004, 04:15 PM

Nox, I remember similar had happen loads of times before, and I am speaking from a veteran member's perspective (I ain't no "newbie" here~). I personally think that one or two consecutive flames between two members are okay. What's important is the "culture" of this forum. So Marc doesn't want it to be filled with "trolls" that only throw slimes around all day, but those people are rare (so far). That's actually one thing I think he knows very well- not everyone are "trolls" all the time- We all do some silly things sometimes, it's not necessary to censor that kind of sporadic silliness. Only when Marc notices a repetitive pattern of flaming in a thread or of a particular member that causes trouble all the time he comes in and interferes. I think that is a good choice. It stays true to "freedom of speech", and it keeps the "culture" of this forum decent, which all we need for productive discussion. I personally approve this choice of his and I think he shouldn't be interfering more.

**Gizzey** · 02-08-2004, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by WFCY

Nox, I remember similar had happen loads of times before, and I am speaking from a veteran member's perspective (I ain't no "newbie" here~). I personally think that one or two consecutive flames between two members are okay. What's important is the "culture" of this forum. So Marc doesn't want it to be filled with "trolls" that only throw slimes around all day, but those people are rare (so far). That's actually one thing I think he knows very well- not everyone are "trolls" all the time- We all do some silly things sometimes, it's not necessary to censor that kind of sporadic silliness. Only when Marc notices a repetitive pattern of flaming in a thread or of a particular member that causes trouble all the time he comes in and interferes. I think that is a good choice. It stays true to "freedom of speech", and it keeps the "culture" of this forum decent, which all we need for productive discussion. I personally approve this choice of his and I think he shouldn't be interfering more.

I agree.
I think some of these subjects do get heated and some topics effect us personally so are emotive..
You should watch the Parliament (UK) in action..We are pussycats and they are leaders.

**Prince Charming** · 05-27-2004, 07:51 PM

Marc,

I would love to tell some of my friends/family about this forum, but until posts and entire threads are removed without warning or explanation, sadly, I can not. This bs has to end. How about a little courtesy, eh?

**Marc** · 05-27-2004, 08:01 PM

The courtesy starts with members not taking posts off-topic, insulting other members, replying to posts that insult other members, etc. I very rarely delete a thread, but have done so at the request of the thread starter or because of one of the other reasons mentioned above.

It is not bullshit; it is done to keep this forum more focused rather than cluttered with meaningless crap that 99% of the members don't want to sift through. There is no need to warn people before a post is deleted as it is clearly stated in the rules that this will happen when the rules are violated. I am being courteous by deleting posts that don't follow the rules; it would be rude not to.

**imported_partofme** · 05-27-2004, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by Marc

The courtesy starts with members not taking posts off-topic, insulting other members, replying to posts that insult other members, etc. I very rarely delete a thread, but have done so at the request of the thread starter or because of one of the other reasons mentioned above.

It is not bullshit; it is done to keep this forum more focused rather than cluttered with meaningless crap that 99% of the members don't want to sift through. There is no need to warn people before a post is deleted as it is clearly stated in the rules that this will happen when the rules are violated. I am being courteous by deleting posts that don't follow the rules; it would be rude not to.

One thing I must say is that there is much less flaming here than I have seen on many other sites.

**imported_partofme** · 05-27-2004, 08:31 PM

Does anybody here know who owns or runs this site? I have wondered for a while. It looks like it is not run by a big company but I really like it's layout.

**Prince Charming** · 05-27-2004, 08:35 PM

I think the problem lies in that you seem selective in what YOU consider "meaningless crap". How would you know what 99% of the members don't want to sift through? Did you take a poll or something? Most people here take threads off-topic now and then, many insult other members, etc. I couldn't disagree more with the fact that you think it's courteous to delete posts without a short explanation. Are you a mind reader or something? How would you know if it was just a misunderstanding? In the end, you are the admin, and I will try to abide.

**Prince Charming** · 05-28-2004, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by partofme

Does anybody here know who owns or runs this site? I have wondered for a while. It looks like it is not run by a big company but I really like it's layout.

Global Compass, Inc.
Internet Data Center

56 Marietta Street
4th Floor - Suite A
Atlanta, GA. 30303
404-681-0401

It looks like this is where the server is located. The people or person that runs this website probably rent or lease from this company. I could easily find out more info if you wish, partofme. Computers are my specialty these days.