15500 Members

[ozwinner]

There are 15500 members on the forum and for some reason a handful, maybe 10 at the most, continue to try to hijack the forums with total mind numbing drivel every friday, and not only friday, it seems to find its way into every forum at the drop of a hat.

There is no constructive conversation, there are no hints, tips or anything that anyone could construe to be intelligent, its not even funny.

There are enough Drivellers to go off and form their own Drivel forum.
Please do so. :2tsup:

I often wonder how it looks to a newbie to the forums.:(

We have a very friendly and dynamic forum going here, please dont spoil it with your worthless drivel. :(

A lot of valuable members have stopped posting because of the Drivel.

I know which members I would rather have on the forum.

If you must Drivel, please, go and start your own forum somewhere as the majority of members and the Mods have had enough.

ozwinner - Administrator
Woodworking Australia's
WOODWORK FORUMS

[Wongo]

Al, let’s talk woodwork. Where do you want to start?

There is only one thread on Friday in the nothing to do with woodwork section. How does it stop other members from posting? What exactly is the problem?

[ozwinner]

True there is only the one friday drivel thread, but the drivel seems to have permeated into all corners of the forum.

Im all for a bit of fun and a laugh, but most of the drivel is just absolute nonsense.

Ive had PMs from members who are sick and tired of having to wade through drivel to find anything worth reading, and the mods spend a lot of time just deleting drivel from other posts.

Some of the most valued members have stopped posting altogether because of the drivel.

Al :(

[Howdya do that]

This is ????????!

You blokes have got yourselves so worked up over this Drivel ???? you've lost all perspective.

I joined because I love woodworking, a laugh and a bit of mateship and it looked like you guys shared my passion but enjoyed a bit of fun as well. One of my first posts was that I thought Gumby was an idiot but geez I'd like to have him as a neighbour.

Life is way to short for this:doh:

I haven't had enough experience yet to have helped anybody, but I have taken heaps and I thank you all for that:2tsup:

See Ya,

Hodwdya

[Howdya do that]

True there is only the one friday drivel thread, but the drivel seems to have permeate into all corners of the forum.

Im all for a bit of fun and a laugh, but most of the drivel is just absolute nonsense.

Ive had PMs from members who are sick and tired of having to wade through drivel to find anything worth reading, and the mods spend a lot of time just deleting drivel from other posts.

Some of the most valued members have stopped posting altogether because of the drivel.

Al :(

One last word.

I dont think there is a person on here that would question the way you, and the other moderators handle your job Al. If it's inappropriate censure them, they will soon get the message.

[echnidna]

Al, let’s talk woodwork. Where do you want to start?

There is only one thread on Friday in the nothing to do with woodwork section. How does it stop other members from posting? What exactly is the problem?

I agree with Wongo.
I rarely even look at the Friday drivel let alone get involved in it.
(Though I did get involved in some drivel this week)

There is far less drivel in the woodwork threads nowadays than there was back in 2003, when there might be 2 on topic posts in 4 full pages of a woodworking thread.

So the friday drivel thread actually helps reduce drivel.

The Forums are much easier to follow these days, thanks to all the hard work put in by the mods. Maybe you looking too closely from a mods viewpoint and not from a general forumites view.

[DanP]

Do you think none of us remember the days when you were just an everyday member like us Al?:;

I recall a time when you were the preeminent hijacker of the forums.:o

I don't care about the drivel, I just don't read it. However, I think the fun element of these forums is the reason there are 15000 members and is what makes it different from the boring yank forums.

Dan

[Studley 2436]

I think Dan is bang on the money. I have never bothered with the friday thread myself but have always enjoyed having a laugh along with everyone else. The whole reason this list works is because people can just come in and hang out a bit, talk rubbish etc. People know the difference between serious and not serious stuff and can be pulled into line if need be.

I guess just don't get too heavy handed with it

Studley

[Cliff Rogers]

:iagree: Me too...

Lets have no more of the waffle (drivel) about foil covered body parts or goats. :wink:

[martrix]

Cliff, this thread (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=43743)is a prime example of absolute BS drivel. Meaningless cr@p, oxygen theft.

[DanP]

So now that you know it is drivel, you don't have to look at it if you don't want to.

[Cliff Rogers]

Cliff, this thread (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=43743)is a prime example of absolute BS drivel. Meaningless cr@p, oxygen theft.

Only your opinion; I'm not interested in your brand of football or your brand of motor racing or your brand of power tool so I ignore it. :shrug:
Everybody is different AND everybody is entitled to their own opinion, build a bridge & get over it. :p

[martrix]

Only your opinion; I'm not interested in your brand of football or your brand of motor racing or your brand of power tool so I ignore it. :shrug:
Everybody is different AND everybody is entitled to their own opinion, build a bridge & get over it. :p

Cliff, I'm not on a witch hunt for anyone and I also believe you and everyone else has a right to post in that style.

Without the drivel, there is nothing here to really drive away members or dissuade them from posting. Just a lot of incredibly good sentiment(generally) and a brilliant fountain of knowledge and information.

With the drivel permeating to most sections of the forum, then it becomes an issue for posters who cant stand it.

As for the Friday thread, why not just have it in the Open Slather forum? That way, it wont show up in New Posts or iSpy and the mods don't have to keep an eagle eye on it.

I too love the quick riposte or smartarse comment as Groggy stated, hell sometimes you even make me laugh:rolleyes:, and I would hate to see it go the way of the 'other' forum. Its what makes this forum Australian.:wink: :2tsup:

I am still a little unconvinced of my own point and am finding it a little difficult to put a finger on what it actually is that makes all of this an issue........time to go play with a workbench and some vices.:)

[David L]

Yep give the drivellers their own thread to clear out the BS.
No one minds a bit of humour and banter but it is not fair on other member who come her to learn to have to wade through loads of rubbish to find constructive info especially those on dial up.

[Cliff Rogers]

Cool. :2tsup:

In that case, I won't mention who owns this drivel then... it tells us all we need to know about the member. :D

<TABLE cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Biography:
"Beep beep beep, oh no heavy, the coins keep coming out, beep beep beep, even the telephone hates me, beep beep beep, I wish there were no machines, and everyone led a pastoral existence, trees and flowers don't deliberately cool you out and go beep </TD></TR><TR><TD>Location:
Melbourne, Australia </TD></TR><TR><TD>Occupation:
Neil: Right, okay, here we go. "Darling fascist Bully boy, give me some more money, you bastard. May the seed of your loin be fruitful in the belly of your woman, Neil." </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Cliff Rogers]

...constructive info especially those on dial up.

Some of the most 'constructive info' members on this forum do it in such a way that it swamps the poor old buggers on dial up & if they ever drop off the face of the earth, all the good pics will go with them..... nobody dares to complain about them. :wink:

[Big Shed]

Would you like to elaborate on that Cliff?

I thought the most swamping took place with the Friday drivel thread?


There are none so deaf as those that do not want to hear:doh:

[Big Shed]

I would still like to see the drivel threads, Friday or otherwise, moved to a thread that doesn't show up in iSpy.

Or does that take away the exhibitionist value?:rolleyes:

[Rossluck]

I go along with DanP's view. It's there if you want it and it's identified if you wish to avoid it. To me it's harmless, and like quite a few of the topics listed here I just avoid it.

I've always been of the impression that the members who indulge in it are mainly people who work on computers all day and are letting off a bit of steam. Let 'em, I say.

[Groggy]

Some of the most 'constructive info' members on this forum do it in such a way that it swamps the poor old buggers on dial up & if they ever drop off the face of the earth, all the good pics will go with them..... nobody dares to complain about them. :wink:Not sure what you mean here Cliff, how does it swamp dialup and why would it disappear with them if they left?

I use dialup regularly and even on 28k last year it was ok. The worst was 28k using a PDA but I just turned off the graphics.

[Christopha]

What IDIOT started this drivel? Don't we get enough of this stuff on Fridays? AL, you should be ashamed you goataphilic drivel starting tosser.... BAD AL!

[Bleedin Thumb]

First you ban drivel, then you ban harmless banter and humorous comments......is that the type of forum you guys want?

Its the banter, humour and drivel that makes this forum what it is...if the powers to be want to eliminate all that... well that fine I have other things to amuse myself with as I am sure a lot of others have too.

But it seems silly to be driving away members when everyone seems so proud of the growing numbers.

[Christopha]

Perhaps instead of drivel we could have Twaddle?

[ozwinner]

First you ban drivel, then you ban harmless banter and humorous comments......is that the type of forum you guys want?

Lets get it straight right from the start. No one is banning anything.

And you have hit the nail on the head with.


drivel, ........... harmless banter and humorous comments


You have distinguished a difference between drivel and humorous banter.

Harmless banter and humorous comment is fine and encouraged, its the puerile total nonsense drivel that seems to be the problem.

Its not just me, maybe Im just more out spoken than most other people.


Al :)

[RETIRED]

First you ban drivel, then you ban harmless banter and humorous comments......is that the type of forum you guys want?

Its the banter, humour and drivel that makes this forum what it is...if the powers to be want to eliminate all that... well that fine I have other things to amuse myself with as I am sure a lot of others have too.

But it seems silly to be driving away members when everyone seems so proud of the growing numbers.]:(( :(( :(( No where has it been said that we are banning the quick quip, the humourous retort or the laconic humour.

I wish that people had to read all the posts instead of just zeroing in on the posts that seem to be the most controversial.

Useless drivel is another point altogether. It clogs the forums, clogs Ispy and serves no useful purpose other than to relieve the boredom of a few.

We have tried to be reasonable with you lot but you seem to want more and more of your way. Guess what, it is not going to happen. As Neil has said previously "It ain't a Democracy but a benevolent Dictatorship". and the benevolence is running short.

Am I getting peed off? Bet your life I am.

While I am in rant mode, there is no neccessity for the letters "" to proceed every thing that goes wrong. Leave them out or don't bother posting.

We realise that we can't please everybody but that is unfortunate and the way it is. I can't believe you lot. We have tried explaining but it falls on deaf ears.

Get this; Drivel will be deleted from any thread on the main part of the forum.

The Friday drivel thread will be closed on Saturday and deleted the following Friday.

Quick quips and humourous replies will be allowed to stay unless they get out of hand. If that happens and the question has been answered the thread MAY be closed.

is banned on any Forum and will be deleted and the poster banned.

If you have a bitch with a mod, PM them don't bring it to the forums. It will be deleted and an infraction given. We don't have to explain anything to you but generally do

:no: :no:

[Sturdee]

A lot of valuable members have stopped posting because of the Drivel.


I don’t know if I’m a valuable member or not but I come here for woodwork related subjects ( turning excepted) and maybe as I’m becoming older I have changed but I can’t stand the drivel or twaddle or crap that has invaded the woodwork related forums.

In the past I have made a number of posts, including detailed picture posts, on my workshop and jigs and tools that I have made.

I did this in an effort of sharing and helping others. However for some time now I haven’t bothered.

Not because I haven’t completed any projects but because the desire isn’t there anymore. These posts take a lot of time and effort and to have them ruined by mindless drivel or attempted highjack is IMO insulting to the poster.This is my own view and the other side to seeing the drivel which some seem to enjoy.

To attempt to moderate one’s own thread, as has been suggested, is ridiculous. Why would you need to moderate your own thread back to topic? Why bother to post in the first place if it is apparent that it is not appreciated or wanted.

It has been said that it shows the aussie sarcasm or wit which is part of our charm. Well others may appreciate it but I don’t and I doubt if any other serious thread poster would either. So to me the alleged boring yank forums are becoming more and more attractive.

Now I haven’t been one of those that complain to the Mods and this is not a goodbye post but a simple personal explanation as to why I post a lot less then I used to.

BTW If the forums were like this when I joined I doubt if I would have joined in the first place or post any details of my jigs etc.


Peter.

[ozwinner]

Well said. :clap: .

Al :)

[Big Shed]

Sturdee, that reply was as well thought out as your jigs:2tsup:

Very well put and hopefully that puts the discussion in proper perspective.

Oh, BTW, I certainly regard you as a VERY valuable member and have got a lot of pleasure out of your posts. I have spent countless hours reading them and have learned heaps from your pictures and well designed jigs and other projects.

[Studley 2436]

I don’t know if I’m a valuable member or not

Peter.

Sturdee you have to be one of the valuable guys here. Up there with others like Rocker and Major Panic who do some really good stuff and insipire and teach the rest of us so we can improve our own stuff.

I have the plan for your mortise and tenon jig somewhere but never made it because I basically ended up going darkside when I got some Japanese Chisels boy they do it nice when you are only doing one or two.

Mind you I might get around to it sometime because if you do more than a couple the jig has a huge advantage.

Maybe I am just in a darkside sort of place at the moment. I even have a couple of Japanese "machine" planes which are skew planes with an adjustable fence (hence Machine) that are great for doing the cheeks on Tenons to get a bang on fit.

We were talking about something else weren't we?

I'll try and behave

Studley

[Bleedin Thumb]

Well said. :clap: .

Al :)


Yes I had to reset my hearing aid and all.:D :D :D

[journeyman Mick]

]............I wish that people had to read all the posts instead of just zeroing in on the posts that seem to be the most controversial.......................

You mean we don't have to read all the posts?:doh: :o , well, that will certainly free up some time.:U

Mick (bantering:; )

[Rossluck]

I can accept, , that this forum is organised and run by the people who own it. I've said here in the past that in the main I like the way it's run. The forum has changed my life for the better, because in my job I don't have an opportunity to speak to many people. This forum therefore allows me access to the attitudes and knowledge of people of my own age.

But a part of me is rankled every time a severe reminder of the tenuousnous of our association with this forum is thrust down the line at us by someone in charge (e.g., "the benevolence is running short"). This message almost always carries with it a reminder that we are non-paying naughty boys hanging on to our positions by a thread (excuse the pun).

Surely a forum like this should function best as an accurate reflection of all of the vagaries: the moods, idiosynchrasies, brilliance, stupidity, knowledge, anger, and so on, that we're all made from. As I said, I avoid the drivel threads becaue the type of humour doesn't suit me, but I acknowledge the rights of the drivellers to drivel. I notice that some of them are members who post knowledgeable messages at other times, and who have been helpful to me and others.

I agree that the drivel should be kept to a single thread, and that it should be identified so that we non-drivelers can avoid it.

I'd also like to suggest that a fund be somehow made available so that members could make voluntary contributions to the running of the forum. I for one would be happy to contribute.

[Sturdee]

I have the plan for your mortise and tenon jig.
Studley

Studley, that's Rocker's plans that you have. I haven't made a mortice and tenon jig.


Peter.

[ozwinner]

There is the facility to take subscriptions on VB3 which is the software that is used to run the forums.

How much are you prepared to pay to be a member?

Al :D

[Bleedin Thumb]

I always assumed, maybe incorrectly that those little adds at the top of the screen would have been more than compensation for running the forum..

[ozwinner]

I always assumed, maybe incorrectly that those little adds at the top of the screen would have been more than compensation for running the forum..

I doubt it, 100 clicks = 1 cent. :o

Al :C

[Groggy]

I always assumed, maybe incorrectly that those little adds at the top of the screen would have been more than compensation for running the forum..You made me curious so I clicked on the "advertise on this site" link. I think it is fairly safe to say Neil would be lucky to get beer money from it.

[Bleedin Thumb]

There goes my plan of starting a drivelers forum then.:( :D

[David L]

"but I acknowledge the rights of the drivellers to drivel."

Do we have rights on the forum ?

OR is it a privilege to use it and our responsibility do so sensibly as it is graciously provided by our host at his own expense to promote the interests of wood work.:2tsup:

Perhaps there should be mid week drivel thread as well, clearly marked of course, as an added outlet :doh:

I agree with Sturdee's well put sentiment

[Wongo]

If you take the fun away from this forum, I don’t think I will be here for much longer.

I was recently invited to a private US rocking chair forum. It is great because everyone makes Maloof type rockers but boy you'll have to wait a few days to see a new post.

Let's face it people come and people go with or without the drivel.

Now let’s talk woodwork. Where do you want to start?

[Groggy]

If you take the fun away from this forum, I don’t think I will be here for much longer. Wongo, did you read Robbos post?

[Zed]

as a well recognised driveler... (I know - humble aint I?) I just took a break from the forum and it really has been quite hard to pick up on the ongoing sagas of drivel - to the point where I just decided not to. I now post just occasionally and only read a thread if its of immediate concern or interest to me - mind u its becuase of me not because of u that I choose to do this.

Dont get me wrong - I go into gales of laughter sometimes and the collective intelligence here is astounding.

the friday thread - meaningless crap IMNSHO.

R's

[Honorary Bloke]

Warning! Please ignore this long, rambling post if you are trying to avoid getting bogged down in this discussion.

As a member of some other WW forums, including those "Yank" ones sometimes referred to (damn, a dangling preposition), I joined this Forum just because of the light-hearted approaches and "laconic" humour lacking elsewhere. (Also, because I wanted to study Australian "as a second language." )

I have learned a great deal here, more actually than on the Other forum, and I hope that I have occasionally contributed some help as well. In the short time I've been here, the Forum has added a number of wonderful new sections, like Woodworking Women and, my personal favourite, the forum videos. All good and very welcome.

If, as some have observed, the Friday Thread (and others) are changing the face of the forum for the worse, then I am in favour of curbing it. As you know, I have been a contributor to the "drivel"; just considered it good, clean (if sometimes enigmatic) fun and thought no more of it. I had no trouble wading through the threads to find serious topics. I now see that for some members it is a serious distraction.

But whilst the Friday thread is not the only culprit, I take Lignum's point that it may have also had a bad effect on the more serious threads as well. (BTW, anyone who thinks that The Rip In The Fabric . . . is drivel should try writing a decent segment of it, keeping the characters and stage set in mind. It ain't easy.)

When I did the maths after the Friday thread deletions, I calculated (using the reduced number of posts associated with my CP) that I had been guilty of contributing about 10% drivel to 90% not-drivel. A respectiable percentage, but by no means egregious. I think, however, that I can live with a 3%-4% drivel contribution level and will limit myself accordingly.

But, I will continue to be a Seppo smarta*&e when the occasion begs for it while endeavoring to do my part to restore the tone of the forums to its pre-Friday level.

To those who have done a dummy spit, I invite you to reconsider. To those who have implied that most drivelers don't do actual woodworking, I invite you to do your homework. And to those of you to whom the drivel was a major distraction, my sincere apologies along with a mild suggestion that you lighten up a bit.

(As a tongue-in-cheek aside, Ozwinner I love you like a brother and you are welcome in my shed anytime (bring your own chair and stubbie holder) but how quickly we forget . . . )

Anyhow, I intend to stay around a long time or until pulls the plug. :D

[Stuart]

I only implied that there was currently a lot more bulldust than sawdust being produced at the moment...

Re Adsense, and income - I'm just glad that there is some income to offset the $25000 or this forum costs to run a year (and all our labour is free - factor that in :o) If it is cost neutral - bonus! Even if it runs at a profit, I bet it will be many years before Ubeaut's investment, and years of running at a loss are countered.

[Studley 2436]

Studley, that's Rocker's plans that you have. I haven't made a mortice and tenon jig.


Peter.

Ouch can I say OMG?

Anyway you get the picture Peter hope the pat on the back got through OK

Studley

[Studley 2436]

When I did the maths after the Friday thread deletions, I calculated (using the reduced number of posts associated with my CP) that I had been guilty of contributing about 10% drivel to 90% not-drivel. A respectiable percentage, but by no means egregious. I think, however, that I can live with a 3%-4% drivel contribution level and will limit myself accordingly.
. :D

Sheeze Bloke did you do your maths right most of us talk rubbish 90% of the time and if we are lucky get 10 % that is worth remembering.

Studley

[jmk89]

Sheeze Bloke did you do your maths right most of us talk rubbish 90% of the time and if we are lucky get 10 % that is worth remembering.

Studley

We are prolly all in that position to some extent!:D

But I agree with the Bloke. P'raps the drivel has got out of hand a bit, but one man's witty repartee is another's unmitigated drivel.

However, I don't think that the situation is as bad as some posts have suggested, but nor is it being suggested that drivel is to be banned.

Those of us who like drivel are, at least as I understand 's post, going to be allowed to keep the Friday drivel post, but recognising that it is ephemeral (sometimes I can't work out what's happening if I don't look at it for 2-3 hours!!!), it's going to be closed once Saturday happens and then deleted a week later. Seems reasonable - the Friday drivellers can keep their fun and it won't clog the system with false searches (especially for words like Felder and Hammer, which people might acutally want to use for sensible threads).

At the same time, those who like drivel and drivelling are being asked to restrain their desire to drivel (or engage in competitive drivelling) so that sensible threads don't become difficult to distinguish from the Friday drivel.

All seems fair and reasonable to me and an entirely sensible compromise.

Just a question of exercising a bit of common sense.

So fellow drivellers, let's keep our rapier wit for ourselves (the others can choose not to have their lives enriched by our illuminating observations on the human condition).

[RETIRED]

We are prolly all in that position to some extent!:D

But I agree with the Bloke. P'raps the drivel has got out of hand a bit, but one man's witty repartee is another's unmitigated drivel.

However, I don't think that the situation is as bad as some posts have suggested, but nor is it being suggested that drivel is to be banned.

Those of us who like drivel are, at least as I understand 's post, going to be allowed to keep the Friday drivel post, but recognising that it is ephemeral (sometimes I can't work out what's happening if I don't look at it for 2-3 hours!!!), it's going to be closed once Saturday happens and then deleted a week later. Seems reasonable - the Friday drivellers can keep their fun and it won't clog the system with false searches (especially for words like Felder and Hammer, which people might acutally want to use for sensible threads).

At the same time, those who like drivel and drivelling are being asked to restrain their desire to drivel (or engage in competitive drivelling) so that sensible threads don't become difficult to distinguish from the Friday drivel.

All seems fair and reasonable to me and an entirely sensible compromise.
Just a question of exercising a bit of common sense.

So fellow drivellers, let's keep our rapier wit for ourselves (the others can choose not to have their lives enriched by our illuminating observations on the human condition).Someone finally understands.

[Daddles]

Yup. Well said John :2tsup:

Richard

[Grunt]

But I agree with the Bloke. P'raps the drivel has got out of hand a bit, but one man's witty repartee is another's unmitigated drivel.

I agree.

The percentage of drivel to meaningful post has changed over the years. Anyone remember pancakes?

The number of posts have increased across the board by a factor of 4 over the past 3 years or so.

So today there is a lot more drivel to deal with. There is also a lot more Wood Turning posts to deal with. There is more of everything. It's the price to pay for having an extremely successful forum.

I think trying to control the drivel will be detrimental to the character of the forums.

[Daddles]

I can accept, , that this forum is organised and run by the people who own it. I've said here in the past that in the main I like the way it's run. The forum has changed my life for the better, because in my job I don't have an opportunity to speak to many people. This forum therefore allows me access to the attitudes and knowledge of people of my own age.

But a part of me is rankled every time a severe reminder of the tenuousnous of our association with this forum is thrust down the line at us by someone in charge (e.g., "the benevolence is running short"). This message almost always carries with it a reminder that we are non-paying naughty boys hanging on to our positions by a thread (excuse the pun).

Surely a forum like this should function best as an accurate reflection of all of the vagaries: the moods, idiosynchrasies, brilliance, stupidity, knowledge, anger, and so on, that we're all made from. As I said, I avoid the drivel threads becaue the type of humour doesn't suit me, but I acknowledge the rights of the drivellers to drivel. I notice that some of them are members who post knowledgeable messages at other times, and who have been helpful to me and others.

I agree that the drivel should be kept to a single thread, and that it should be identified so that we non-drivelers can avoid it.

I'd also like to suggest that a fund be somehow made available so that members could make voluntary contributions to the running of the forum. I for one would be happy to contribute.

Ross, you need to think a bit more about what is involved in keeping this forum the happy place you find it.

Being a moderator isn't a power trip, it's just a lot of work and most of it is trying to keep some eejit from ruining the place.

Some people seem to enjoy pushing the limits with their posts and while it might provide some entertainment for them, it makes hard work and angst for those of us trying ensure that you have a community to enjoy.

You seem to take exception to this forum being run by a benevolent dictator - mate, moderating this forum would be a bloody sight easier if we were a lot stricter. For example, instead of answering your post, I could just delete the thing and be done with it - take me about 10 seconds. In fact, interupting my normal reading of the forum with deletions of anything that didn't fit a rigid set of rules would hardly affect me at all. As it is, I spend more time worrying about and addressing the very liberal rules on this forum than I do enjoying being a member.

When I find I'm getting stressed by this place and not getting to participate as a member simply because other members are deliberately pushing the boundaries, I think I'm entitled to feel less inclined towards tolerance. So, rather than complaining about the warnings we're forced by you lot to give from time to time, reflect that someone on the forum is trying to ruin the community we have here while the moderators, instead of enjoying the forum, are working to repair the damage.

Richard
moderator

[Cliff Rogers]

Not sure what you mean here Cliff, how does it swamp dialup and why would it disappear with them if they left?....
Damn... typed a reply & the forum ate it. :~
Try again...

The practice of linking to off-site hosted pictures.

If the pics are uploaded with the post as attachments, they are limited to 100k & they have a thumbnail so you can decide if you want to view them.
If the pics are inserted as a link, they download as soon as you open that page of that thread with that post in it & there is no way of limiting the size of the pictures.
If the member doesn't maintain the pics at the off-site server, they are then lost to this forum.

There are already some posts in 'The best of the best' that have lost some of the pictures.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not complaining.:no: I wouldn't dare. :p

My point is there are practices used by some members that swamp a dialup much faster than off-topic remarks.

[Rossluck]

Ross, you need to think a bit more about what is involved in keeping this forum the happy place you find it. Being a moderator isn't a power trip, it's just a lot of work and most of it is trying to keep some eejit from ruining the place. Some people seem to enjoy pushing the limits with their posts and while it might provide some entertainment for them, it makes hard work and angst for those of us trying ensure that you have a community to enjoy. You seem to take exception to this forum being run by a benevolent dictator - mate, moderating this forum would be a bloody sight easier if we were a lot stricter. For example, instead of answering your post, I could just delete the thing and be done with it - take me about 10 seconds. In fact, interupting my normal reading of the forum with deletions of anything that didn't fit a rigid set of rules would hardly affect me at all. As it is, I spend more time worrying about and addressing the very liberal rules on this forum than I do enjoying being a member. When I find I'm getting stressed by this place and not getting to participate as a member simply because other members are deliberately pushing the boundaries, I think I'm entitled to feel less inclined towards tolerance. So, rather than complaining about the warnings we're forced by you lot to give from time to time, reflect that someone on the forum is trying to ruin the community we have here while the moderators, instead of enjoying the forum, are working to repair the damage.

Richard
moderator

I would honestly hate to think that the moderators thought that I was against them, Richard. :oo: I think that Neil and the moderators do a great job and that we should all be grateful that the forum exists. :2tsup:

Perhaps I might word my concerns a little better. I understand fully that the benchmark for this forum should be that school children access it, and that censorship and moderation should be aimed at only allowing stuff through that is safe for them to view. I think that most of the warnings are directed at members who do push the boundaries, and who are, well, mischevious because of boredom. I think we both agree on that.

What I don't like is being constantly reminded that we're hanging on here by a thread. To use an analogy, it's a little bit like being told by someone over and over that they are going to punch your head in "pretty soon". After a while you'd just think, "come on then, let's get it over with...".

So I make two suggestions: (1) That such threats be more specific than general (i.e., "if you fellows maintain this train of discussion action may be taken"), (2) that some system is established whereby contributions are made so that Neil's financial burden is relieved to an extent, and so that maybe the moderators can receive some renumeration.

[Groggy]

Damn... typed a reply & the forum ate it. :~
Try again...

The practice of linking to off-site hosted pictures.

If the pics are uploaded with the post as attachments, they are limited to 100k & they have a thumbnail so you can decide if you want to view them.
If the pics are inserted as a link, they download as soon as you open that page of that thread with that post in it & there is no way of limiting the size of the pictures.
If the member doesn't maintain the pics at the off-site server, they are then lost to this forum.

There are already some posts in 'The best of the best' that have lost some of the pictures.Ah, I get your point now. There are a lot of those, and it is not limited to the old'n'bold. A lot of people don't post pics properly and don't bother trying new (correct) ways once discover a way to get it in their post.


Don't get me wrong here, I'm not complaining.:no: I wouldn't dare. :p That's not helpful Cliff, and clearly what this issue is not about.


My point is there are practices used by some members that swamp a dialup much faster than off-topic remarks.This is true, but again, bandwidth is not the issue either. One reason this discussion has gone on so long is because people are reading into it things that are not there, confusing the issue and getting emotional about it.

[Cliff Rogers]

....That's not helpful Cliff, and clearly what this issue is not about......
The "I wouldn't dare" statement was a joke Groggy, that is why I put :p at end of the line. :rolleyes: (see my new sig.)


....bandwidth is not the issue either. .....
It was in the context of the post I was replying to.... see below...

...it is not fair on other member who come her to learn to have to wade through loads of rubbish to find constructive info especially those on dial up.


...this discussion has gone on so long is because people are reading into it things that are not there, confusing the issue .....
Yeap, exactly, David made a comment about dail up, I replied to it, you asked for clarification, I replied & then you took my reply out of context. :shrug:

[Groggy]

The "I wouldn't dare" statement was a joke Groggy, that is why I put :p at end of the line. :rolleyes: (see my new sig.)
It was in the context of the post I was replying to.... see below...
Yeap, exactly, David made a comment about dail up, I replied to it, you asked for clarification, I replied & then you took my reply out of context. :shrug:Taken to PMs.