Anybody peed off with polls?

[Tony Kearns]

Anybody peed off with polls.....just asking!
Tony K

[Frank]

Hi Tony / Everyone,

I think someone was acting the mickey by resurrecting polls from 2003, but of course nobody paid any notice to the dates of the last post and replied before I could do anything!

[pilatus]

tony,just a tad!

[Buran]

First of all, i did notice they were old polls, and wasnt too impressed myself, but i just moved on to the threads i was interested in.

I just dont like the attitude that seems to be around this board that all things must be done in the "approved" manner. Ive seen people being told off for:
straying off topic,
writing in caps,
talking about non military things,
asking about stuff previously mentioned,
not giving your true identity,
and now responding to old threads.

I always undersood that these internet bulletin boards were about free communication of ideas. So whatever other people want to talk about, in whatever manner, should be up to them, and not up to others who might disapprove. If 2 or 3 people are having a great conversation between themselves is it up to others to close them off saying "thats not the done thing around here"?

Obviously there are things that need to be kept in check:
posting sensitive information,
childish abuse,
and it would be nice to indicate where information is coming from (ie from a guy down the pub, or a headed letter from the GOC)

I know people are going to say, that its about regulating things to keep everyone happy, but you have to be sure are you talking about "everyone", or just the core group of users.

Has anyone wondered why it is that if you took the top 6 or 7 posters out of the board, there wouldnt be much left? Why do most new people not stick around?

[Frank]

Well Buran,

It's like this...

I would regard myself as being very lienient with some of the posts around here, but dragging up topics that are two years old with some of those topics flogging an already dead horse what's the point in going over old ground again?

As for keeping topics on thread I've had complaints from people about wandering threads putting them off using the board and now it seems you're arguing that I let wandering threads continue?

I've created other sections of the board where people can non military matters and there is also a section called "The Hangar" where they can discuss whatever they want.

Yes I agree, there can be a bit of pettyness on the board but what do you suggest I do?

Do you think you should be a moderator in the board?  (Serious question, I don't seem to have the time these days, you've obviously got an opinion as to why people don't hang around)

All suggestions on a postcard please.


Regards,

Frank.

[Buran]

Frank,

First of all, we all appreciate the time and effort you put in. My aim was to give my feedback

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I would regard myself as being very lienient with some of the posts around here, but dragging up topics that are two years old with some of those topics flogging an already dead horse what's the point in going over old ground again?

I agree that those horses were very old and very flogged. I have no interest in reading them myself. But the "point" in going over them again should be up to the person who resurected them (in my view). If they posted a fresh topic with the same points, would they still be out of line? Anyway, we all know they probably didnt realise they were old posts, they just did a text search and got interested....

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As for keeping topics on thread I've had complaints from people about wandering threads putting them off using the board and now it seems you're arguing that I let wandering threads continue?

Well, its up you to decide what the general consensus is. You have my opinion, if im in the minority, then ill happily shut up. Just so you know, I do think there should be a limit on the amount of wandering. I wouldnt like to see people talking about rugby results on a thread about aircraft serial numbers. And i do appreciate it when you split a sub topic off into its own thread. Im not against the practicality of keeping threads on topic. Just the "censorship" aspect of closing down threads.

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I've created other sections of the board where people can non military matters and there is also a section called "The Hangar" where they can discuss whatever they want. Yes I agree, there can be a bit of pettyness on the board but what do you suggest I do?

And i appreciate that too. My suggestion would be to inform people who are straying from the "rules" how THEY might do things better. Not for YOU to do it for them. Again, its the big brother censorship idea that i dont like.

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Do you think you should be a moderator in the board?  (Serious question, I don't seem to have the time these days, you've obviously got an opinion as to why people don't hang around)

Thanks for the offer. I know people will say i should put up or shut up. But i do think there should be more of a consensus between the moderators. I dont think with the opinions i have, that i would be all that suitable.

Also, i wasnt directing all this at you, personally. Its more the atmosphere around.

Anyway, i hope you take this all in the spirit in which it was meant.

[Buran]

PS, you can close this thread now if you want!   '>

[Frank]

Hi Buran,

I try not to close down topics, fair enough I closed down the ones from 2 years ago but in general I only kill topics that have changed from being a discussion into a mudslinging contest.

I try now to split topics into new threads rather than shut them down totally.

Maybe I'm not being a good moderator, could it be time to advertise for a new moderator?  Someone who knows how to direct things better than I can?


Regards,

Frank.

[Hess]

AAaa, Frank, your going to make me cry!!!!! But to stay on thread,if the question being asked is valid and relavent I for one am all in favour of new polls.