General Topics => General Non-Firearms Discussion => Topic started by: Thernlund on October 17, 2008, 08:10:11 pm
Title: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Thernlund on October 17, 2008, 08:10:11 pm
Anyone remember a Seinfeld episode where Kramer repaints a three lane highway for two lanes? And then Elaine is driving along later and mentions some like, "Oooo. Extra wide lane. How luxurious!" I'm kinda feeling like that here on WTA. I pretty much got used to the strict topic control of my previous forum fixation. I even participated such control. But now... it's like the conversation is the the same, but with so much more breathing room.
WTA... How luxurious! ;)
-T.
(I just thought I'd throw that out there. I'm still kind of conditioned so I'm hesitant to click Post. <deep breath> Here I go...)
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: MikeGolf on October 17, 2008, 08:16:37 pm
Quote
WTA... How luxurious!
Yes indeed well put Thernlund. I like it here.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Feud on October 17, 2008, 08:19:28 pm
I even participated such control. But now... it's like the conversation is the the same, but with so much more breathing room.
That's the thing about conversations, they evolve and grow as the conversation progresses. While some forums like a stick to a to the point format, I've always liked those that allow for conversations to go where they naturally do.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Outbreak on October 17, 2008, 09:22:39 pm
It'll be kinda nice to have a conversation without seeing "IBTL"
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: SuperNaut on October 17, 2008, 09:34:58 pm
I'm a member of another forum that has no moderators or rules at all, on purpose. While it is fun to blow off steam and not watch my language, it also means that the signal to noise ratio is so low that no real topics can ever get off the ground.
Another forum that I frequent has very strict rules and an army of mods that love doling out infractions. Members of this forum are so afraid of reprimands that no real topics can ever get off the ground.
Yet another forum I frequent has "guidelines" and mods (of which I am one) who try to manage egregious derails and keep flames to a minimum, and that's it. This particular forum is a joy to post on, you can swear occasionally and no-one freaks out, you can let the conversation range where it will.
I'd like to see WTA take a similar course. IME the course a board will take is primarily dependent upon the sensibilities of the membership. I think the members of WTA are a solid bunch and I'm excited at the prospect of less-fettered interaction.
To the future!
p.s. IBTL
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: MikeGolf on October 17, 2008, 10:07:02 pm
Quote
I'm a member of another forum that has no moderators or rules at all, on purpose. While it is fun to blow off steam and not watch my language, it also means that the signal to noise ratio is so low that no real topics can ever get off the ground.
What forum might that be? If you dont mind my asking.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: SuperNaut on October 17, 2008, 10:29:03 pm
Don't mind at all (for that specific forum anyway ;) )
Rants and Raves (http://www.rantsnraves.org/)
If you have any sacred cows, probably better to visit than register. It isn't near as bad a say, /b/ on 4chan, but be warned.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: MikeGolf on October 17, 2008, 10:30:11 pm
Allright gonna check it out.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: MikeGolf on October 17, 2008, 10:43:21 pm
That place is off the wall I had to join. ;D
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: SuperNaut on October 17, 2008, 10:47:58 pm
LOL! It has it's charms!
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: GeorgeHill on October 17, 2008, 10:55:59 pm
Our rules are going to be simple and mellow. If a thread wanders... Fine with me. You guys enjoy it. Just keep it civil and respectful, that's all we're asking for. Moderation will not be heavy handed unless someone makes a complete jackhole out of themselves. We will depend on Members to self moderate themselves for the most part. We are all adults here. If you want to act childish, there are other forums. I think that's a simple guideline we can all live with.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Dustinthewind on October 17, 2008, 11:23:53 pm
I'm with you Thernlund. Glad to see you over here. The range of subjects open for discussion is a welcome change from the other forum..er 2 forums now? ??? that I have frequented. I'm glad to see that politics is not Taboo over here as politics has a direct relationship to our RKBA. Seems to be a much more relaxed atmosphere. :)
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: springmom on October 18, 2008, 12:57:42 pm
Likewise. This is a breath of fresh air.
Imagine. Adults being trusted to be adults. Woohoo!!!!!!! Now, if I never see the letters I-B-T-L in that sequence in a forum again, it will be just fine and dandy.
Again, a huge thanks to Larry, George, and all, who put this together.
Jan
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Gundoc on October 19, 2008, 01:06:13 pm
Quote
The range of subjects open for discussion is a welcome change from the other forum..er 2 forums now? ??? that I have frequented. I'm glad to see that politics is not Taboo over here as politics has a direct relationship to our RKBA.
I tried to post something political over there once...only once. I did the usual lets start calling/emailing our reps on the issue. It was kicked off because it did not include an action plan. What do I look like here? I said call and write. That was my plan...needless to say it pretty much ticked me off and I never visited the political side of the forum again. We are much nicer over here.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Doug Wojtowicz on October 19, 2008, 02:28:08 pm
I'm mostly on self-moderation most of the time anyhow.
I've been on a while, and it's taken years for me to finally develop enough self discipline to not respond to a post I don't like with "Was your pacifier made from lead paint as a baby?" and stronger responses.
I'm proud of myself for answering a disagreement on this forum with "YMMV" (your mileage may vary) instead of getting my knickers in a twist.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Gundoc on October 19, 2008, 08:23:22 pm
Quote
"Was your pacifier made from lead paint as a baby?"
Oooo, I like that one.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Doug Wojtowicz on October 20, 2008, 03:19:42 pm
"Was your pacifier made from lead paint as a baby?"
Oooo, I like that one.
Thank you. :D
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: grampster on October 20, 2008, 03:23:22 pm
So, lead based paint vs. water based paint?
Only woosies use the water based paint. :P ;D
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Ske1etor on October 20, 2008, 03:31:42 pm
If there is one thing that bugs me while visiting online forums is when a mod or admin comes in and shuts down a thread because it was "Getting off topic.". Especially when the reason it got off topic was because of the natural progression of the thread.
I understand if you start out asking "Which gun should I get" and end up discussing the thermal dynamics of a cheeseburger, dressed with no tomato that happens to be orbiting jupiter. Close it. It has expended its use and is now just wasting bandwidth. BUT if we are on a firearms forum and the topic stays remotely firearm related then let it be.
You never know what valuable information may come out by just letting people talk.
That is why I like it here.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: StevenTing on October 20, 2008, 03:36:27 pm
If there is one thing that bugs me while visiting online forums is when a mod or admin comes in and shuts down a thread because it was "Getting off topic.". Especially when the reason it got off topic was because of the natural progression of the thread.
I understand if you start out asking "Which gun should I get" and end up discussing the thermal dynamics of a cheeseburger, dressed with no tomato that happens to be orbiting jupiter. Close it. It has expended its use and is now just wasting bandwidth. BUT if we are on a firearms forum and the topic stays remotely firearm related then let it be.
You never know what valuable information may come out by just letting people talk.
That is why I like it here.
I think if anything, I would try and split the topic as best I can. I've done that already but I don't know if that will be possible in the future. I think right now we are very flexible. We consider all suggestions though not all of them get implemented.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: CZ9mm on October 20, 2008, 04:02:30 pm
I think you all in charge here have a great approach. Self-moderation more often than not works itself out. I find that overly moderatred forums tend to tread into moderating opinions as well, which becomes dangerous.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Thernlund on October 20, 2008, 04:40:08 pm
I think there's enough forums here that pretty much any topic can be moved if need be. I also like the idea of splitting a thread rather than closing it. Keeps things in order and isn't heavy handed. The drawback is that it does require that someone get to the thread relatively early before it becomes too terribly complicated to untangle. That requires alot of mods, and right now I don't think WTA has recruited many.
But down the road that'd be a nice thing to see instead of regular threadlocks.
-T.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: BruceRDucer on October 22, 2008, 12:14:23 pm
Thernlund, there's only one way a forum would ever let you or me in to begin with:
Standards so low, that even bugs are welcome. LOL.....
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Thernlund on October 22, 2008, 12:40:11 pm
True that brother. ;)
But don't forget, this one is still new and hasn't yet had a chance to call the exterminator. ;D
-T.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: BruceRDucer on October 22, 2008, 04:14:01 pm
Yes, and it looks like the forum admin has outlawed Raid in our pleasant kingdom.
Yaaaaay!
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: alone on October 22, 2008, 04:52:51 pm
Yeah but...[tm]
You can still buy Raid.
You cannot get lead based paint anymore. Here we have kids coming up missing out on eating lead paint chips as I did.
right all out turned I
* hctiwt*
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: springmom on October 22, 2008, 05:38:00 pm
You can't buy lead-based paint at Big Box stores. If you have the secret decoder ring and know the source, you can get the stuff to *make* lead based paint, however. Though why on earth anybody but an iconographer would go to all the trouble is beyond me.
(I use lead white in my work).
/total tangent. I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread :D
Jan
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: exar on October 22, 2008, 07:15:20 pm
Quote
/total tangent. I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread
IBTL........
J/K
I had to, sorry, don't hurt me. :P :D ;D
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: LittleLebowski on October 22, 2008, 08:16:12 pm
Speaking as a mod, I hope "IBTL" is nothing but a joke around here. Trust me guys, we do NOT want to turn into ban nazis.
Title: Re: Feeling a bit more free
Post by: Doug Wojtowicz on October 23, 2008, 06:09:29 pm
But we can post the funny and cool "IBTL" macros here, can't we? Just for fun.