Name Change

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Originally Posted by Jeanne

Please keep in mind that not all requests will be honored. We cannot and will not make a habit of changing names.

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I know I'm not going to be very popular here (speaking out against the establishment)... but really... what's the big deal? Couldn't you offer each member a change in username once a year or something? Many of the members wouldn't change their name (I know I wouldn't)... so it's not like you'll have to do hundreds of them.

I understand the Admin and Moddies keep saying they are so overworked etc but honestly... I moderate other forums and groups and have done quite a few over the years... it's really not all that much work... and, IMO the whole reason to be an Admin or to be a Moddie is to be there for the members. Cause really... without members the board would cease to exist.

It seems to me that, if needed, a volunteer could do the changes for you all if you are too busy?

I don't mean to sound disrespectful... cause I am very respectful of the heirarchy on this forum... but honestly, I've never been a member of a forum with so many rules. posting images, posting smilies, links to other sites... *whew* it just seems like the focus isn't to make this a great place for members, but rather you are here to enforce - to control - to be the boss.

Perhaps I'm wrong but it seems to me that when a member asks for something which isn't already a norm here... it's shot down.

I like the info here... and I like the members... but the rules do get just a bit much.

It's not like change user names can't be done, but there is a price (like most things in life) This is especially important to deter people from making a -fill in the blank- of themselves, and just switch to a new user name. If not too many people want to do it then why is this an issue? :confuzd:

Everyone keeps comparing this forum to other places they have been on. I don't believe that's fair. What works for one group, will not work for another. There are so many different variable in play here, plus this place kicks major bootay.

I agree that the members are what make this place such a close knit group, but without rules we'd end up like The Lord of the Flies. ;) And that would be downright scary.

:colbert2: :sweeet:

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

... but honestly, I've never been a member of a forum with so many rules. posting images, posting smilies, links to other sites... *whew* it just seems like the focus isn't to make this a great place for members, but rather you are here to enforce - to control - to be the boss.

Perhaps I'm wrong but it seems to me that when a member asks for something which isn't already a norm here... it's shot down.

I like the info here... and I like the members... but the rules do get just a bit much.

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How often have we had members...new and old...comment that BP.net is completely unique in the world of herp forums? And often compared to any forum they've been a part of...herp or not....BP.net stands out vastly different because of the safe, warm, welcoming environment we strive to provide.

This environment is possible only with a certain degree of structure and rules. Without the rules, and a staff dedicated not only to enforcing them, but to always being open to re-evaluating and adjusting as needed....this site would look no different than any other Internet forum.

Not everyone will like every rule. Some people won't like ANY rules. If so, then this simply isn't the place for them and there are other forums out there where they may be more happy.

The way I see it is this: We have some vast, open pasture lands...the grasses are rich in education and fellowship....and there are pastures for all manner of herp interests and even a great big one for non-herp topics. Tons of room for roaming...freedom to express, to question, to help....

But every pasture must have a fence around it. And if someone insists on butting up against the fences...again and again....and ignore the lushness of the land behind them....then they are going to feel oppressed and fenced in.

We can all enjoy the forums for what they are...or we can focus on the negative aspects (which are going to be a part of ANY human endeavor...and which will vary vastly even depending on who is looking at them!). It's up to each individual member to decide if they value BP.net for what it is.....or if all they can see is the fence.

Judy and Christie,

Both beautifully expressed posts!

I'm not saying there shouldn't be fences... I'm just aksing why they seem to be cemented in place :) That's all.

:wuv:
Aleesha

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

I'm not saying there shouldn't be fences... I'm just aksing why they seem to be cemented in place :) That's all.

:wuv:
Aleesha

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I think that is a matter of perception. To carry the fence analogy a little bit farther (not TOO far, I hope!)...if everyone is suddenly pushing on those fences, that is when they must stand strongest. If they sway and move every time someone wants something done differently...it ends up being nothing more than wishy-washy chaos and they serve no one.

We are always watching the membership and strive to be aware of what people want and what they need (in the very limited context of this particular Internet Forum)...to the best of our human abilities, anyhow. We're not opposed to adjusting rules and/or procedure to fit the needs of a growing population. But such changes will happen when it is to the greatest benefit of BP.net as a whole. We can't bend to every change the instant someone thinks it up and decides it should be done.

So....if in the space of about one week...we suddenly have a rash of members posting new and radical (and sometimes not-so-radical) ideas for improving the website...it may LOOK like we're shooting everything down...when in truth, it is just a matter of bad timing, and/or improper presentation of ideas.

If a member truly feels like they know a way to improve BP.net for the entire membership...they should feel free to submit the idea privately to any of the admins or staff. Such a submission would be best recieved if it is clearly written and clearly expresses WHY they believe their idea will work and what benefits they think it will bring the overall population.

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Originally Posted by JLC

...it may LOOK like we're shooting everything down...when in truth, it is just a matter of bad timing, and/or improper presentation of ideas.

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So is there a time which is best to suggest changes?

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Originally Posted by JLC

If a member truly feels like they know a way to improve BP.net for the entire membership...they should feel free to submit the idea privately to any of the admins or staff. Such a submission would be best recieved if it is clearly written and clearly expresses WHY they believe their idea will work and what benefits they think it will bring the overall population.

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Why do suggestions need to be done privately?

Judy, please don't feel I'm being a pest... cause I'd really like to be able to understand this better.

in light,
Aleesha

Very well explained Judy and Christie! Aleesha just look at what's happened with the name change thing. One person asked about it publically and immediately two more asked for their names to be adjusted too. I'm not saying they should or shouldn't be allowed a name change or commenting on the rules that way that's an Admin function and they do handle it very well.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

So is there a time which is best to suggest changes?

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Action sort of ebbs and flows around here...as it does anywhere. Probably the best time to suggest something is when things are calm and the staff is not stressed after a week or so of dealing with...ummmm..."high-maintenance" members and threads. I'm not sure anyone could define a "perfect" time...but it should be somewhat obvious to any casual observer when things are going really rough around here...that maybe that's not the best time to start throwing out a lot of ideas all at once.

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Why do suggestions need to be done privately?

Judy, please don't feel I'm being a pest... cause I'd really like to be able to understand this better.

in light,
Aleesha

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They don't NEED to be done privately...there's no rule about that. I'm merely suggesting that doing so is the best way for such a suggestion to get the time and attention it deserves.

Look at it this way...let's say you are part of a team that is in charge of building and maintaining a moderately complicated project. There are a LOT of people involved in the project and hovering around on the edges...a LOT of people who would love to have a say in your project...but the overall decisions and responsibilies fall squarely on the shoulders of you and your team.

So "Bob" (not on the Team) has an idea about how to "improve" your project. He may or may not have given any thought to how his idea might impact the community as a whole. Would you rather have Bob blurt out his idea in the middle of an already stressful meeting? Which in turn initiates a bunch of other people to start adding their ideas....disagreeing with Bob...trying to alter his original idea to make it "even better"...deciding that because Bob suggests something, they should go ahead and toss out all the ideas they've been cooking up....

OR...would you rather recieve an e-mail from Bob that lays out his idea in a clear format, without any drama or emotional overtones...that explains what his idea is and why he thinks it might work...and how it would benefit the project as a whole. THEN...you can quietly and calmly consider his idea among the whole team, without being barraged by outside shouts and suggestions. And if you see flaws in his idea, you can point them out to him without him feeling as if he's been humiliated in public and in need of defending himself or "saving face."

We're certainly not opposed to a public discussion and exchange of ideas....just please be aware that such a venue is the least likely to cause any sort of immediate change in the overall structure of the Site.

I don't mind answering your questions. I hope I'm explaining things clearly enough.

you are explaining... very well in fact!

see i see it differently. having some suggestions shared in public does two things:

first it allows others who feel the same way to voice their opinions (the name change is an excellent example: yes jo, two others did mention they'd like theirs changed too which allows the admin to know that there's member who would like to have this as an option)[also a side note here: only 3 members have requested a name change... not an overwhelming 300, just 3 ;) ]

and

second it allows those who are "bob" and think their ideas are great... to hear from not only the admin and moddies that their idea was ill-thought-out but also to hear it from the members... so "bob" doesn't feel picked on or ignored when he comes up with an idea... rather, he is able to see that the members don't agree with him either.

Judy, personally, i try to stay out of any flame type situations so if this is a :tricho: "high stress time" :tricho: for you all... i apologize... i'm unaware of any of it.

in light,
aleesha

As I said...there's no issue with discussing ideas in a public manner. But sometimes, "Bob" may suggest something that sounds like a good idea to the general public who has no idea how the project actually works, nor do they take into consideration the amount of work and effort that may go into such a change, nor the long-term consequences of it. But it sounds good...so lots of poeple give it a thumbs up...'cause they like Bob...he's a good guy who is well intentioned.

And then the project administrators end up looking like the bad guys because Bob's idea isn't accepted with glowing praise and open arms. Not because they don't like Bob or don't value his opinion...but just because its not a feasible option at that time, or may have long-term consequences others don't see.

And that's just one of the many aspects of being an admin. At any given point in time, we're gonna look like the bad guys to SOMEbody. And the choices we make are not going to make every soul happy...nor always line up with everyone else's philosophy on how things should be run. And the bigger the site grows, the more true this will become. EVERYone will have "better" ideas about how things should be run.

As you can see, we're not afraid to have these discussions. Many forums will simply shut down anyone who questions their decisions in any sort of open manner. We're not here to do that. I'm merely suggesting that if someone wants an idea they are serious about to get the time and attention it deserves by the staff...a well thought out proposal away from the distractions of the day-to-day forums might be a great way to go about it.