Making the Industry Forum more useful

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone,

We are looking at ways to make this forum more useful. One of the complaints we get is the problem of alias and drop in trollers enraging the discussion. Since the group of industry people is not too large, Glenn, Len and I have been discussing the idea of making this forum readable by all, but only post-able to by people in an approved group. Several Industry forum regulars have told me that this sounds like a good idea, but we don't want to do anything without checking in with the forum in general.

So, let us know what you think about the above idea, and please let us know any other ideas you may have to make this unique forum more useful. Feel free to PM me, or to post in this thread.

Thanks!

Rich

 

[Anonymous]

I think it should be readable and postable by only a small group of industry people, so stories can be told and names can be named.



Seriously, what you said is a great idear.

Peace,

Chip

 

[M_Phobos]

I thought the initial intent of this forum was to provide a place where the hobbyist could communicate with the industry and vice versa. Wouldn't making it "read-only" completely defeat the purpose?

Isn't the point of moderators on forums to follow threads and make sure they don't become inflamed/out of control?

If people can't be civil, maybe they should be policed...but if the forum goes to read-only...isn't that doing a disservice to both the reefing community and the retail community by shutting down the dialog between them?


Just some thoughts....

Cheers,
Fred

 

[JeremyR]

Even making it industry only isn't going to stop all the bickering.. there are different viewpoints that most of us are passionate about, and conflict is going to ensue. I"m sure all of us could do a better job of being civil and not making potshots (at least I can )

I don't think I would want to refuse hobbyist access to posting, but I would favor banning anonymous posting and moderating 1 post trollers. If you are going to call someone to the carpet, at least be man enough to identify yourself.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok, so far I think I am hearing a request for heavier moderation of this forum. Is that right?

 

[M_Phobos]

Heavier moderation (moderating?)....or thicker skins.

Cheers,
Fred

 

[Anonymous]

limiting access is a bad idea, imo-heavier moderation may be the ticket, though :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

What kind of moderation do you guys have in mind? Deleting troublesome posts, banning repeat offenders, editing the troublesome parts out, locking threads?

Thanks for the input!

 

[JeremyR]

I was more interested in weeding out 1 post schill types.

 

[naesco]

I don't know how some got the idea that this was a forum for industry to exhange its views.
It has always been a hobbyist forum to exchange ideas with industry.
Most of the objectionable industry types no longer post so I have no problem with continuing the way we have been.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't know how some got the idea that this was a forum for industry to exhange its views.
It has always been a hobbyist forum to exchange ideas with industry.
Most of the objectionable industry types no longer post so I have no problem with continuing the way we have been.

FWICT, its not all that clear what this forum is for, From the forum index:
[quote}]The Industry Behind the Hobby
A forum dedicated to discussing industry issues such as sustainable collection techniques, legislation affecting the hobby, and industry reform.[/quote]

So, in a sense, I am actually asking people what they think this forum is for.

For the most part, and this thread has only been up for less than a day, I am getting the impression that increased moderation when necessary may be all that is needed.

 

[Jaime Baquero]

Rich,

The best thing you can do is to ban from this forum individuals such as Steve Robinson and friend. Those two individuals have done nothing positive to create a constructive dialoge. Many people are gone from this forum because of their unpleasant behavior.

Best regards

Jaime Baquero

 

[Anonymous]

Rich,

The best thing you can do is to ban from this forum individuals such as Steve Robinson and friend. Those two individuals have done nothing positive to create a constructive dialoge. Many people are gone from this forum because of their unpleasant behavior.

Best regards

Jaime Baquero

Thanks for the input Jaime,

We haven't made any decisions yet, but I do think before banning anyone, we should try heavy moderation first.
From what I have seen, in the past there has been unpleasant behavior on the part of more than just them. Whatever we decide to do with this forum, I would like to think we can do it with a 'fresh start' attitude.



Rich

Rich

 

[treeman]

I think the heavier moderation is a good idea.

I don't think limiting the access is the answer.

I do believe that everybody should identify themselves and thier affiliations.

IMHO

 

[scottfarcuz]

I don't have much input on making the problems with this section better, but I would like to say I have spent more time reading threads in this section than I have on ANY one section of a reefkeeping site. I think if more people would spend some time learning about the commercial side of the hobby we all love we would see a lot less complaints about LFS/prices or even moral issues when it comes to purchasing and collection methods. I say whatever it takes to keep the "movers and shakers" sharing info (no not wholesaler info) it should be done.

Does the BB software support a method that would allow a member to be banned from posting in this section if they do nothing more than make unfounded/uninformed/offensive/Wayne (couldn't resist ) posts?

I wouldn't mind if I personally couldn't post here, but I would hate to see it cut down on the discussion/dialect...

 

[Kalkbreath]

What exactly is it thats currently broken with this forum?
What is the justification for increased censorship?
As a group, we have performed flawlessly. {what more do you want?}
Every issue has for the first time in our industrys history , been discussed openly,completely and from every conceivable angle. Without political white wash
There is no greater collection of ideas relating to this hobby anywhere.
Within this boards' achieves, is a treasurechest of unadulterated discussions.
Over the years, what topic have we not hashed out thoroughly enough?
The diversity of contributors is what has made this round table of ideas so unique and effective.
Neutering the openness of the dialog would accomplish what again?

 

[Anonymous]

What exactly is it thats currently broken with this forum?

There are only two forums on this site that have a sticky addressing personal attacks and civility and this is one of them. We would like the need for such a sticky go away.

What is the justification for increased censorship?

We aren't talking about censorship, we are talking about engendering continued civility.

Perhaps it is the case that nothing need be done - that determination is one of the reasons for this thread.

 

[Anonymous]

Does the BB software support a method that would allow a member to be banned from posting in this section if they do nothing more than make unfounded/uninformed/offensive/Wayne (couldn't resist ) posts?

Unfortunately, not without making a special usergroup.

 

[Anonymous]

Rich,

The best thing you can do is to ban from this forum individuals such as Steve Robinson and friend.

Can't resist....won't do it......

Bah, love you too jamie

 

[dizzy]

Sounds like Big Brother.