Concern for the site

I've noticed in the last month or so we've had 4-5 closed threads. I think we all need to just cool it for a bit and just enjoy the site for what it is. Not for what we can start. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone cause I have been guilty on jumping on a member so my hands aren't clean. Lets try to keep comments unless absolutely necessary to a minimum and be constructive then retalitory. This is a site for learning, and help. Not a flaming site where threads get locked out all the time. We always learn something new everyday. No matter if you are a vet or a noob we always learn something new.

Bravo! Well Said

:rockon:

Very well said.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vomitore

We always learn something new everyday. No matter if you are a vet or a noob we always learn something new.

---

And there is nothing wrong with it! You wouldn't be human if you knew everything - so take the info and absorb it for all it's worth.

I was thinking about this the other day. *Thumbs Up* Good post!

I agree, and it always seems like people are in bad moods around the holidays, so we all just need to relax as soon as we hit the computor, and we can just concentrate on getting and giving good info.


:rockon:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...bellydance.gif https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../4/7/heart.gif https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...bellydance.gif https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../4/7/heart.gif https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...bellydance.gif

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vomitore

I've noticed in the last month or so we've had 4-5 closed threads. I think we all need to just cool it for a bit and just enjoy the site for what it is. Not for what we can start. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone cause I have been guilty on jumping on a member so my hands aren't clean. Lets try to keep comments unless absolutely necessary to a minimum and be constructive then retalitory. This is a site for learning, and help. Not a flaming site where threads get locked out all the time. We always learn something new everyday. No matter if you are a vet or a noob we always learn something new.

---

Wheres your sence of adventure MAN, sometimes you have to ruffle a few feathers. :)

Even thought there are a few class clowns here, the mods handle them very well. :)

I agree that we should all try and remember to use a bit of kindness in our responses. (not only now, but always) We have a wonderful little family here, but as in all families we will hit rough patches. Let us all remember how very blessed we are, and try and be grateful for what we do have.

i'm very grateful for you christie https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../4/7/heart.gif

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by recycling goddess

i'm very grateful for you christie https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../4/7/heart.gif

---

Awww thanks. Sometimes it's easy to forget that we can find a little something special to appreciate in everyone. (sometimes you have to look harder in some ;) )

May you be blessed with joy and love Aleesha. You have such a joyful outlook that it helps remind me to be thankful for all my blessings. :D

I'm apparently feeling a bit mushy. :oops:

you look good in mushy!!! :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ECLARK

Wheres your sence of adventure MAN, sometimes you have to ruffle a few feathers. :)

Even thought there are a few class clowns here, the mods handle them very well. :)

---

I am adventurous but you have to admit there has been a ton of locked threads lately and the mods can't always be "parents" to everyone. We have to be adult about what we say and do.

I agree Mike. I was amazed at how ugly a thread got just the other day. Some people value animals much more than humans and have no problem verbally attacking some one for not treating an animal to their standards due usually to inexperience. We all began once and learned by mistakes and experience and thats what this site is all about sharing those lessons for the benifit of all. A little playful banter is one thing but demening behavior is another. Kudos to Mike for brining it up!!!! :sunny:

If someone is doing something wrong and needs to be advised, it would be almost criminal not to advise them of their wrongdoing, in my opinion.. but the second that it gets "personal" (like, name-calling, accusing the person of being a certain way, etc..) that information-giving person loses all credibility, really.
On another forum, I knew of a member that was extremely educated on the subject (it was frogs..) He would educate newcomers in the hobby very well with true information, and reply to threads in a very stiff, academic fashion; he had a wealth of experience, but his posting bordered on robotic. There has to be a balance between helpful informing and robotic spitting-out of already-typed information.. I usually think we have it right-on here, but the trouble is when people start taking sides and a thread becomes a knife-fight; we don't need that!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ginevive

If someone is doing something wrong and needs to be advised, it would be almost criminal not to advise them of their wrongdoing, in my opinion.. but the second that it gets "personal" (like, name-calling, accusing the person of being a certain way, etc..) that information-giving person loses all credibility, really.
On another forum, I knew of a member that was extremely educated on the subject (it was frogs..) He would educate newcomers in the hobby very well with true information, and reply to threads in a very stiff, academic fashion; he had a wealth of experience, but his posting bordered on robotic. There has to be a balance between helpful informing and robotic spitting-out of already-typed information.. I usually think we have it right-on here, but the trouble is when people start taking sides and a thread becomes a knife-fight; we don't need that!

---

Some people don't know how to take advice and some people are trying to be helpful and there's a sarcrastic side to it, and some people don't take to sarcasm all too well. But I'd rather walk away then start a thread into lockdown ya know?

/bump


Seriously we need to all cool it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vomitore

/bump


Seriously we need to all cool it.

---

I don't think the past few have been bad at all

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

I don't think the past few have been bad at all

---

Yeah but there has been a steady flow of 1-2 a week. When I first started there was never locked threads. 9 months later its almost common to see now. This is a great site and lets keep it that way. Who cares about having the last word in and just enjoy what we have in this killer site!

I think part of the problem is now there are more and more new, mis/uninformed owners coming here and the people here are very serious about this hobby and come off a little too forceful sometimes. We do have the animal's best interest in mind but have to remember that the new owners were told completely wrong information. On the other side of things, there are more and more people coming here and asking for help and opinions but complain when it is not what they want to hear.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

I think part of the problem is now there are more and more new, mis/uninformed owners coming here and the people here are very serious about this hobby and come off a little too forceful sometimes. We do have the animal's best interest in mind but have to remember that the new owners were told completely wrong information. On the other side of things, there are more and more people coming here and asking for help and opinions but complain when it is not what they want to hear.

---

Too many people want to have the last word basically.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vomitore

Too many people want to have the last word basically.

---

I agree:D

(just trying to get the last word)

I'm done here

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

I agree:D

(just trying to get the last word)

I'm done here

---

You arse :eek: LOCK THIS THREAD MODS! :D

i'd love to but you two are being way too polite! :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by recycling goddess

i'd love to but you two are being way too polite! :P

---

Poopy head.

How sad...

I agree that this site needs to be more friendly. A lot of things are responded to in a "I know better than you" attitude, which puts people off.

This is a close-knit community, and it needs to be opened up a little wider for those who want to be a part of it.

Play nice, everyone.

Even though I haven't been on here long (a few days...:shh:) everyone has been very helpful and friendly. :D I'm sure there are the threads that get bad, but for the most part I have completely enjoyed the site. Thank you! to the ones that make this a good place to learn, and I hope everyone can be like that sooner than later :colbert2:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vomitore

Poopy head.

---

watch ittttttt.... or i'll have to take back your subscription to 'cave girls magazine' :colbert:

The larger the site grows, the more "drama" we're likely to have in some threads. Just because we're human and personalities will clash. Not that some are "bad" (although we do get those on rare occasions as well) and others "good" but just that sometimes we have "flint," "steel," and "tinder"...and when those three personalities get in the same thread...suddenly we have "FIRE!"


It's not a fault of the site, I don't think. Nor a fault of the staff. We do our best to walk that tightrope between allowing our members as much freedom to express themselves as possible...and stepping in to keep things from getting out of hand by locking occasional threads.

The thing that keeps this forum as consistently friendly and welcoming as it is...is the community itself. We can't "legislate friendly" by making rules to force everyone to get along. All we can do is lead by example. And while not everyone who participates here will always follow...MOST will. ;) And so long as most of us continue to try our best to lead by example...we'll continue to be truly the most welcoming forum in the herp world.

*stands up and applauds*

Judy,


I absolutely agree, and I was not targeting the mods when I posted. I was targeting everyone else. :D

I think you all do a good job.

It is just the topics, the subjects, and those who need to be nicer, or not post at all.

Nothing you all can control, but we as individuals can.

We all started out as newbies at one point or another.

Just a friendly reminder.

Just some of my thoughts in light of recent happenings on the site.

Mods right now just seem to arbitrarily decide which threads stay and which threads go, or which posts in each thread go or stay (kingsnake anyone? hello!). In some of these threads, no violations of the TOS take place, yet they are still locked. The justification for this is that the threads aren't "helpful" or "positive"...well, I can understand locking threads in the information forums, but threads in the off-topic area aren't required to be helpful or substantive to begin with (they can be, but don't have to be).

I feel like if I'm a contributing member on this site overall, its unfair when topics I choose to follow are arbitrarily locked.

If the Admin has such a problem with this type of stuff, revise the TOS and eliminate the ambiguity. Otherwise, stop locking or editing threads that don't violate the TOS you have in place.

I appreciate your concern, however the last thread that I locked was in violation of our TOS:

Quote:

---

No cursing, threats, hate speech, or speech intended to cause or further a "flame war" or personal vendetta

---

Unless you're referring to another thread, then I'm sure the mods would be happy to review and discuss your concerns.

The reason why many of these threads get locked is to prevent a BOI type of free-for-all atmosphere. This forum is used to discuss Ball Pythons and other related topics in a family friendly atmosphere. The previously locked threads were in violation of the TOS in addition to creating a hostile environment and not exactly the friendly, helpful forum we're trying to maintain.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevatethis

Just some of my thoughts in light of recent happenings on the site.

Mods right now just seem to arbitrarily decide which threads stay and which threads go, or which posts in each thread go or stay (kingsnake anyone? hello!). In some of these threads, no violations of the TOS take place, yet they are still locked. The justification for this is that the threads aren't "helpful" or "positive"...well, I can understand locking threads in the information forums, but threads in the off-topic area aren't required to be helpful or substantive to begin with (they can be, but don't have to be).

I feel like if I'm a contributing member on this site overall, its unfair when topics I choose to follow are arbitrarily locked.

If the Admin has such a problem with this type of stuff, revise the TOS and eliminate the ambiguity. Otherwise, stop locking or editing threads that don't violate the TOS you have in place.

---

Gee, has it been 3 mos already???

Seems this comes up in one form or another about every three months or so.
I know I personally started one about 6 mos ago.

I have grown to just deal with it like I do people in the "real world" or at work.
I check it out and if it is going south then I move on. Sometimes it seems there is some bickering back and forth and some personal vendettas ( sp ) or scores going on but all in all this is a rock solid site w/ a wealth of info for not just the newbie but I think people of all exper. levels.
None of us know everything and we can all learn something new everyday.

This site has been growing and evolving from day one and it will continue to be fine because there is a large core of members, old and new, who won't settle for anything less, thank God.

We just have to keep open minds and sometimes open hearts.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xdeus

I appreciate your concern, however the last thread that I locked was in violation of our TOS:



Unless you're referring to another thread, then I'm sure the mods would be happy to review and discuss your concerns.

The reason why many of these threads get locked is to prevent a BOI type of free-for-all atmosphere. This forum is used to discuss Ball Pythons and other related topics in a family friendly atmosphere. The previously locked threads were in violation of the TOS in addition to creating a hostile environment and not exactly the friendly, helpful forum we're trying to maintain.

---

Thanks for the reply, and for clearing up your justification for removing those threads. I care about this board just as much as anyone else does, so my next question is this: at what point do the mods actually do something about those who continuously post in a manner that stirs up trouble? The latest person who seems to be the common denominator in every bit of recent drama clearly has an agenda and has taken stabs, in blatant and subtle ways. Perhaps the cycle-o-drama would stop if the admins put some backbone behind their preaching.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevatethis

I feel like if I'm a contributing member on this site overall, its unfair when topics I choose to follow are arbitrarily locked.

---

I feel like if I'm a contributing member on this site overall, its unfair when topics I choose to follow are arbitrarily run into the ground because some members can't control themselves enough to leave their own personal conflicts with other members out of the threads.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevatethis

The latest person who seems to be the common denominator in every bit of recent drama clearly has an agenda and has taken stabs, in blatant and subtle ways. Perhaps the cycle-o-drama would stop if the admins put some backbone behind their preaching.

---

A private communication detailing exactly what you'd have us do would be greatly appreciated. Any such suggestions always are. Should we ban a member simply because they don't "get along" with some other member? Wouldn't that make us more like Kingsnake than locking a few troublesome threads?

If there's some magic wand we can wave to make everyone get along and never poke at each other with sharp sticks...while maintaining a fair and just place for everyone who comes here....please let me know what the secret is. I think we have the "backbone" to be JUST...rather than bowing to public pressure to kick an unpopular member off the forum.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by daniel1983

I feel like if I'm a contributing member on this site overall, its unfair when topics I choose to follow are arbitrarily run into the ground because some members can't control themselves enough to leave their own personal conflicts with other members out of the threads.

---

Then skim past the nonsense and contribute something positive? I do it in other threads all the time, I mean, look at any thread Jamie is a part of :P Making comments about people acting childish (just an example I can recall) doesn't do much to help things either...just fuels the fire...and boom...your topic is further down the crapper.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by daniel1983

I feel like if I'm a contributing member on this site overall, its unfair when topics I choose to follow are arbitrarily run into the ground because some members can't control themselves enough to leave their own personal conflicts with other members out of the threads.

---

I KNOW that I'm a contributing member to this site and I think that the expectation that I should take the "high ground" while some little pee on posts smilies urinating on my banner is a little rediculous. He's being manipulated by someone that has been banned and that banned person is effecting the site now more than they ever did while they were allowed to post here.

The personal conflict is not mine by any means ... I could not care less ... but I refuse to lay down and pretend like nothing is going on or hope that it just "goes away" ... not my style and in the 2 1/2 years that I've been posting on this site it never has been my style.

Take out the trash ... problem solved.

-adam

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I KNOW that I'm a contributing member to this site and I think that the expectation that I should take the "high ground" while some little pee on posts smilies urinating on my banner is a little rediculous. He's being manipulated by someone that has been banned and that banned person is effecting the site now more than they ever did while they were allowed to post here.

The personal conflict is not mine by any means ... I could not care less ... but I refuse to lay down and pretend like nothing is going on or hope that it just "goes away" ... not my style and in the 2 1/2 years that I've been posting on this site it never has been my style.

Take out the trash ... problem solved.

-adam

---

Potato bugs! :roach:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevatethis

Then skim past the nonsense and contribute something positive? I do it in other threads all the time, I mean, look at any thread Jamie is a part of :P Making comments about people acting childish (just an example I can recall) doesn't do much to help things either...just fuels the fire...and boom...your topic is further down the crapper.

---

So I don't contibute anything positive? Are you saying Jamie is a problem?
What is your solution for putting out the fire?

Hey guys...let's not fuel the wrong fire here. Why not take the discussion back behind the scenes where it belongs...between the staff...and any members who feel they'd like to contribute suggestions via PM's.

Let them eat cake!
Or better yet off with their heads!!!!


( Sorry just adding a little humor to lighten it up, some just take themselves way to seriously and NO I don't mean YOU ) :)

I think that snake at the top with the hearts by it is trying to tell us all something.... ;)


or maybe it's just there because tomorrow is V-day. :date:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevatethis

Just some of my thoughts in light of recent happenings on the site.

Mods right now just seem to arbitrarily decide which threads stay and which threads go, or which posts in each thread go or stay (kingsnake anyone? hello!). In some of these threads, no violations of the TOS take place, yet they are still locked. The justification for this is that the threads aren't "helpful" or "positive"...well, I can understand locking threads in the information forums, but threads in the off-topic area aren't required to be helpful or substantive to begin with (they can be, but don't have to be).

I feel like if I'm a contributing member on this site overall, its unfair when topics I choose to follow are arbitrarily locked.

If the Admin has such a problem with this type of stuff, revise the TOS and eliminate the ambiguity. Otherwise, stop locking or editing threads that don't violate the TOS you have in place.

---

just to clear up this misconception... on the forum where all members can see it. we, as moddies and the admin are included in this - we do not remove posts unless the poster has requested it unless it is a duplicate post. we, as moddies and admin only edit a post if it's against the TOS to make it family friendly and TOS friendly when needed. :sunny:

edited to add: of course there are some 'sections of posts' which cannot be edited to stay within the TOS and they need to be removed to allow the thread to continue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jotay

Let them eat cake!
Or better yet off with their heads!!!!


( Sorry just adding a little humor to lighten it up, some just take themselves way to seriously and NO I don't mean YOU ) :)

---

Cake? Where? I am hungrah! :)

i have cookies... will that do Jen? *hands a plate of yummy, freshly baked cookies*

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by recycling goddess

i have cookies... will that do Jen? *hands a plate of yummy, freshly baked cookies*

---

Yum! They go just great with the Starburst candies I am chowing down on!

mmmm glad to be of assistance! :P

want a nice iced mocha with that? or would you prefer a hot one?

How about a cold SoCo on the rocks? lol