Please become the anti-Lester.

[George C]

I would suggest undoing some of the alienation campaign that has killed off most of the forum particapation in recent years.

I would first suggest that your moderators start acting a more like fellow members, rather than addressing the membership is if we were in middle school detention. Some really pathetic antics have been happening by a couple of these guys..

Secondly, I would axe the "Other technical Questions" forum, and return it back to the "Other" forum from a few years ago. A forum where anything could be discussed, except the real hot button issues that never seem to solve anything like guns, religion and politics.
Remember, the more members that participate, and the more potential sales that you run by your sponsors, the better it will become for everybody...

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by George C

I would first suggest that your moderators start acting a more like fellow members, rather than addressing the membership is if we were in middle school detention.

I' don't agree. We have a really good bunch of active moderators now. I haven't seen even one example of a moderator doing something I wouldn't have done too, if I were a moderator. We do have a couple of moderators that have been AWOL for a long, long time, but they worked hard several years ago when they were active.

Some really pathetic antics have been happening by a couple of these guys..

I don't think it belongs in a public forum, but if you really believe that, then you should PM or e-mail the current administrators and give them specific examples of what you're talking about. If they agree with you, they will fix the problem.

Secondly, I would axe the "Other technical Questions" forum, and return it back to the "Other" forum from a few years ago.

We tried that. For years and years. The biggest problem was finding a moderator or three that would handle that forum. It's a huge, thankless job, and soon nobody worth their salt wanted the job. But that sort of forum has to have active moderation because there are too many juveniles trying to make trouble.

[RatherBNtheWoods]

Originally Posted by George C

I would suggest undoing some of the alienation campaign that has killed off most of the forum particapation in recent years.

I'll second that!

Originally Posted by George C

I would first suggest that your moderators start acting a more like fellow members, rather than addressing the membership is if we were in middle school detention. Some really pathetic antics have been happening by a couple of these guys..

Uh-huh!

Originally Posted by George C

Secondly, I would axe the "Other technical Questions" forum, and return it back to the "Other" forum from a few years ago. A forum where anything could be discussed, except the real hot button issues that never seem to solve anything like guns, religion and politics.
Remember, the more members that participate, and the more potential sales that you run by your sponsors, the better it will become for everybody...

I kinda like having a truck site about trucks. If someone wants to yammer about politics or guns, go to a political or firearm forum.

ps: Can we remove CAT's or EGR's under the new management?

[Bigshow]

Originally Posted by RatherBNtheWoods

I kinda like having a truck site about trucks. If someone wants to yammer about politics or guns, go to a political or firearm forum.

From what I read, GeorgeC's suggestion was to exclude the items you mentioned not include them in the 'other forum'. I miss the old 'other forum' because it helped garner a sense of community and the broad knowledge base among the membership helped distinguish it from some of the other web forums I was on. When you participate in these types of discussions via computer its hard to gain and earn trust and credibility. A forum where there is more discussion about a broad spectrum of topics helps people build a certain type of trust, credibility, and respect. It becomes more interesting --> this leads to more activity --> which leads to more $$$ for the site. I cant see the negatives!

[JimmyDee]

Originally Posted by George C

Secondly, I would axe the "Other technical Questions" forum, and return it back to the "Other" forum from a few years ago. A forum where anything could be discussed, except the real hot button issues that never seem to solve anything like guns, religion and politics.
Remember, the more members that participate, and the more potential sales that you run by your sponsors, the better it will become for everybody...

I think a little more liberal policy should be implemented. I can remember being here when I had a heart attack and bypass surgery and because of the stiff rules, couldn't find a place to be able to communicate that here. If I would have passed away at that time, it would have been another person that just disappeared. I felt that there were at least a few persons here that would have prayed or cared that I was in big trouble. I felt somewhat abandoned by the policy.
However, with that said, we had a number of posters that posted junk just to increase their post count. Many of them were one word answers or "what should I do because its raining today," crap.
Yes, the policy did kill the sense of community here and other sites came into being as a result. This site is a great site and allowing personal communication once again would rebuild that. I think it would be a huge improvement for this site.
Jim

[Packard8]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

I haven't seen even one example of a moderator doing something I wouldn't have done too, if I were a moderator.

I can think of two recent examples of excessive and heavy handed moderation.

In the Towing Forum a member started a thread asking about higher capacity wheels & tires for this old truck and in the end he bought a new truck (Dodge Cummins). I congratulated him and wished him well with the new truck and mentioned that so far I've had a positive ownership experience with mine. The thread was immediately locked down as being a "brand war".

On this same forum we are now on, a recent thread about starting an "off-topic, lounge, pub, anything goes" forum was locked down when one member said hello to another........what a horrible thing to do!!!



Firstly, I realize boards like this need to be supervised and I thank the moderators that are doing a good job and acting fairly in the background. I do, however agree with George C that there are a few who act like they are on some sort of power trip and seem to enjoy capriciously zapping a thread for the slightest perceived infraction.

We are for the most part adults here and as long as we act as such it is insulting to be treated like naughty kindergarteners and have our mouths taped shut. Common courtesy says that you give a polite warning before taking out the sledgehammer.

Okay off the

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by Packard8

In the Towing Forum a member started a thread asking about higher capacity wheels & tires for this old truck and in the end he bought a new truck (Dodge Cummins). I congratulated him and wished him well with the new truck and mentioned that so far I've had a positive ownership experience with mine. The thread was immediately locked down as being a "brand war".

The towing forum is only for discussion of "Towing and hauling with Ford diesel trucks and vans." Any other discussions are off topic and should be either edited, deleted or shut down, depending. Discussing a new Dodge is definitely off topic. So the moderator earned his high pay for that one.

On this same forum we are now on, a recent thread about starting an "off-topic, lounge, pub, anything goes" forum was locked down when one member said hello to another........what a horrible thing to do!!!

So you don't want the rules enforced? Chit-chat is definitely off topic in any forum, and should be edited, deleted, or maybe shut down, depending. So once again the moderator did what he was paid to do.

If you enjoy chit-chat and such, there are a million websites out there that provide forums for that. You've heard of You-Tube, MySpace and similar websites? But this website is for discussion of Ford diesel trucks and vans, with a few odds and ends added by public demand, such as General Diesel. '99-up Gas engines, and Other Technical Questions forums. That's why we're here. If you want to chit chat with your buddies, go to MySpace and have a ball.

I do, however agree with George C that there are a few who act like they are on some sort of power trip and seem to enjoy capriciously zapping a thread for the slightest perceived infraction.

I usually spend several hours every day on this website, and I haven't observed any of the moderators doing what you and George perceive. But if you don't want them to enforce the rules, then that's tough titty. I hope they continue to enforce the rules by keeping all the forums on topic.

[darsey715]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

The towing forum is only for discussion of "Towing and hauling with Ford diesel trucks and vans." Any other discussions are off topic and should be either edited, deleted or shut down, depending. Discussing a new Dodge is definitely off topic. So the moderator earned his high pay for that one.



So you don't want the rules enforced? Chit-chat is definitely off topic in any forum, and should be edited, deleted, or maybe shut down, depending. So once again the moderator did what he was paid to do.

If you enjoy chit-chat and such, there are a million websites out there that provide forums for that. You've heard of You-Tube, MySpace and similar websites? But this website is for discussion of Ford diesel trucks and vans, with a few odds and ends added by public demand, such as General Diesel. '99-up Gas engines, and Other Technical Questions forums. That's why we're here. If you want to chit chat with your buddies, go to MySpace and have a ball.



I usually spend several hours every day on this website, and I haven't observed any of the moderators doing what you and George perceive. But if you don't want them to enforce the rules, then that's tough titty. I hope they continue to enforce the rules by keeping all the forums on topic.

lol you are so anal. why do you take the internet so seriously. what's off topic is your sad power trip. deep breathes man it's just a website.

[Packard8]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

Chit-chat is definitely off topic in any forum, and should be edited, deleted, or maybe shut down, depending. .................if you want to chit chat with your buddies, go to MySpace and have a ball........ that's tough titty.

WOW..if that sort of myopic attitude persists I suspect it won't be long before you and perhaps no more than a dozen like minded folks will have this site all to yourselves.

I frequent about a half dozen old car forums where a sense of friendly camaraderie exists with a bit of joking and banter back and forth . Plenty of good info gets exchanged and we all have a good time. No one's head gets chopped off if they mention someone's birthday or names a marque other than the one the board is founded around.

This is basically an entertainment/hobby/enthusiast website. If the new management loses sight of that and allows it to turn into some sort of internet bootcamp with drill sergeants yelling in our ears I predict quite a few members will vote with their feet.

[KINGTUT]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

The towing forum is only for discussion of "Towing and hauling with Ford diesel trucks and vans." Any other discussions are off topic and should be either edited, deleted or shut down, depending. Discussing a new Dodge is definitely off topic. So the moderator earned his high pay for that one.



So you don't want the rules enforced? Chit-chat is definitely off topic in any forum, and should be edited, deleted, or maybe shut down, depending. So once again the moderator did what he was paid to do.

If you enjoy chit-chat and such, there are a million websites out there that provide forums for that. You've heard of You-Tube, MySpace and similar websites? But this website is for discussion of Ford diesel trucks and vans, with a few odds and ends added by public demand, such as General Diesel. '99-up Gas engines, and Other Technical Questions forums. That's why we're here. If you want to chit chat with your buddies, go to MySpace and have a ball.



I usually spend several hours every day on this website, and I haven't observed any of the moderators doing what you and George perceive. But if you don't want them to enforce the rules, then that's tough titty. I hope they continue to enforce the rules by keeping all the forums on topic.

Smokey giving you due credit for all of your contributions here over the years, however, your responses in this thread are totally predictable and part of the "old school" forum management ideology. I am sorry that you don't think there are some heavy handed moderators, but there are. There is also quite a bit of selective moderation. Sorry if you disagree, but from my perspective is exists. All that said, I respect your opinion, I just happen to disagree. There is as much juvenile junk that goes on in the forums now that went on in the other forum. I also believe moderating that type forum can be done effectively, it is done all the time on other sites. I don't want to go to other sites, I have friends here, I like it here. I want to be able to chit chat and I am not apologetic about it. I want to talk about things other than diesels, I think that is normal, AND I want to talk about other things with folks I know HERE, not on another site. BTW some of you guys are making the old other section to look like it was full of satan worshipers, it was not really all that bad, a few incidents from time to time, but a bunch more enjoyment than out of hand stuff.

[UNBROKEN]

I'm a Lead Mod on another diesel site Smokey...and I can assure you that everything you seem to believe won't work on a forum....will.
I know you put in a lot of time here over the years and believe me, I know Modding is a mostly thankless, very low paying job...but you need to remember that this is supposed to be fun. It appears you have forgotten that over the years.

[ktpauley]

I think the Other Technical forum should be the Lounge Area. What is technical about asking how to get rid of squarrels in an attic?

The question about towing/hauling could have been moved to the Other Diesel section.

Just my $.02.

Keith

[Conocoan]

Originally Posted by George C

I would first suggest that your moderators start acting a more like fellow members, rather than addressing the membership is if we were in middle school detention.

George, as you know I've been a member of this site for a number of years although I very rarely come here now. And simply because of the reason you just stated. Now I'll admit that I've never personally been moderated. And I have learned a lot here. I'll also admit that Smokey is my favorite Moderator.

But over the years I have read complaints from fellow members. And no matter if their question had merit or not, the answers often came across as with a "like it or lump it" attitude, to Jason's clipped and impersonal answers. Almost as if he were talking to a child that just didn't get it. So I just decided to find a more friendly atmosphere. And I did.
I do agree that politics and religion shouldn't or rather can't be discussed rationally here. But this Nanny State that deletes any mention of one's removal of his Cat? Pleeze.

[Ernest]

Bahaha, Jason knows how I feel about his rule postings, so do the new guys.
The only time I was sent on a vacation around here is when I mentioned something about GeorgeC...Go figure.

[roofeditor]

Originally Posted by Packard8

I can think of two recent examples of excessive and heavy handed moderation.

In the Towing Forum a member started a thread asking about higher capacity wheels & tires for this old truck and in the end he bought a new truck (Dodge Cummins). I congratulated him and wished him well with the new truck and mentioned that so far I've had a positive ownership experience with mine. The thread was immediately locked down as being a "brand war".

On this same forum we are now on, a recent thread about starting an "off-topic, lounge, pub, anything goes" forum was locked down when one member said hello to another........what a horrible thing to do!!!



Firstly, I realize boards like this need to be supervised and I thank the moderators that are doing a good job and acting fairly in the background. I do, however agree with George C that there are a few who act like they are on some sort of power trip and seem to enjoy capriciously zapping a thread for the slightest perceived infraction.

We are for the most part adults here and as long as we act as such it is insulting to be treated like naughty kindergarteners and have our mouths taped shut. Common courtesy says that you give a polite warning before taking out the sledgehammer.

OK off the

OK why not just say it. There are 2 moderators in particular that single handedly drove away hundreds of members and many many of the sponsors 3 of which I personally spoke with on the phone. 3 major sponsors that paid a lot of money to be here.

Remember money moderators? It's what runs the site!