Apologies to all (especially Doug)
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 7:17 am
Seeing as I guess I'm the one who kicked off the s###storm currently upsetting the board I ought to explain my reasons and apologise for my hot-headedness.
Firstly, to Doug (and the other mods). I'm sorry I posted a contentiouus thread. I do have a lot of respect for forum admins, they're in a no-win situation, and have to be a lot like head-teachers (School principles?) in a run-down, low-rent neighbourhood. Mostly you guys do a terrific job.
I think the problem that has happened is that there has been a clamp down on subject matter in the postings, but we, the posters, weren't really aware that it was coming, or aware that we were pushing the boundaries. That's fair enough, we WERE pushing the boundaries of what topics should be where. But that happened because the forum was fluid and it's use was fluid and evolving. Obviously in a direction that Doug (as the owner) didn't like. We didn't realise that we were pushing too far, until too late. The "habit" of posting everything in the "R1150R" forum was too deep-rooted.
I think what go on my goat was the way in which this was handled. Dallara got a semi-threatening pm/email, and so the mods appeared to be using "back-door-diplomacy" to effect a change in posting habits. In my experience this is NEVER a good idea, moderation of a public forum NEEDS to be public and viewable otherwise a very strong sense of "Them and Us" develops - which is devisive and bad for the forum.
If I may make so bold as to make a suggestion for a small alteration to the board?? I would suggest to Doug that the "R1150R" area be kept to R1150R topics - and the forum description edited to make that clear, and the "Off-Topic" section to be renamed "General" (or "General Biking" or "Bikes" or whatever Doug feels is appropriate), and further, that it is moved to the top of the forum listings.
This would serve two purposes - mainly making it psychologically the first point of call for new posters - who's first post doesn't tend to be R1150R related (or are they??), and also it would make it more obvious that the R1150R area is for R1150R topics.
I would also suggest that the board has a slightly more publicly visible notification of a policy to move (not delete) threads that are in the wrong area (ie non-R1150R threads moving to "General"/"Off-Topic" or Specific R1150R posts in Off-topic being moved to the R1150R area). I'd also suggest opening up the "Mechanical", "Accessories" areas to new postings and discussions that are about those specific subjects. That would stop the R1150R area from filling up with repeated "screen" threads. (and similar).
Obviously I'm guessing that I'm not really very popular with Doug at present, but I hope that you take the time to think about these suggestions, but remember please, that suggestions are all they are. I'm NOT trying to be devisive, or to split the board and I really hope that doesn't happen. I'm just giving my views that have generated from my experience of "netiquette" on different forums.
I hope everyone has a good thanksgiving, we don't celebrate it in the UK so right now I'm sat in work feeling really jealous of all you guys having 2 days off work!!
Firstly, to Doug (and the other mods). I'm sorry I posted a contentiouus thread. I do have a lot of respect for forum admins, they're in a no-win situation, and have to be a lot like head-teachers (School principles?) in a run-down, low-rent neighbourhood. Mostly you guys do a terrific job.
I think the problem that has happened is that there has been a clamp down on subject matter in the postings, but we, the posters, weren't really aware that it was coming, or aware that we were pushing the boundaries. That's fair enough, we WERE pushing the boundaries of what topics should be where. But that happened because the forum was fluid and it's use was fluid and evolving. Obviously in a direction that Doug (as the owner) didn't like. We didn't realise that we were pushing too far, until too late. The "habit" of posting everything in the "R1150R" forum was too deep-rooted.
I think what go on my goat was the way in which this was handled. Dallara got a semi-threatening pm/email, and so the mods appeared to be using "back-door-diplomacy" to effect a change in posting habits. In my experience this is NEVER a good idea, moderation of a public forum NEEDS to be public and viewable otherwise a very strong sense of "Them and Us" develops - which is devisive and bad for the forum.
If I may make so bold as to make a suggestion for a small alteration to the board?? I would suggest to Doug that the "R1150R" area be kept to R1150R topics - and the forum description edited to make that clear, and the "Off-Topic" section to be renamed "General" (or "General Biking" or "Bikes" or whatever Doug feels is appropriate), and further, that it is moved to the top of the forum listings.
This would serve two purposes - mainly making it psychologically the first point of call for new posters - who's first post doesn't tend to be R1150R related (or are they??), and also it would make it more obvious that the R1150R area is for R1150R topics.
I would also suggest that the board has a slightly more publicly visible notification of a policy to move (not delete) threads that are in the wrong area (ie non-R1150R threads moving to "General"/"Off-Topic" or Specific R1150R posts in Off-topic being moved to the R1150R area). I'd also suggest opening up the "Mechanical", "Accessories" areas to new postings and discussions that are about those specific subjects. That would stop the R1150R area from filling up with repeated "screen" threads. (and similar).
Obviously I'm guessing that I'm not really very popular with Doug at present, but I hope that you take the time to think about these suggestions, but remember please, that suggestions are all they are. I'm NOT trying to be devisive, or to split the board and I really hope that doesn't happen. I'm just giving my views that have generated from my experience of "netiquette" on different forums.
I hope everyone has a good thanksgiving, we don't celebrate it in the UK so right now I'm sat in work feeling really jealous of all you guys having 2 days off work!!
